Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the related literature and studies. These materials provided the researchers with the information and insights to which the present study would be based.

Synthesis of the Studies and Literatures

The experimental research entitled: "Effects of Suggestive Reinforcement on Intelligence of Engineering Students in the University of the East Using Placebo Treatment as Conditioning Tool”, this study is mainly focused about the effect of suggestive reinforcement using placebo treatment on the level of intelligence of engineering students. In some related studies and literature that were gathered among the theory that will help the researchers to pursue their studies to find out the possible positive outcome to the intelligence of the students. One of the studies conducted by Rajagopal (2006), he compared the placebo effect to Classical Conditioning, the active medication is the unconditioned stimulus, improvement owing to active medication is the unconditioned response, the placebo is the conditioned stimulus, and improvement owing to placebo is the conditioned response Patients who have had past experience of getting better with active medication may be conditioned.

In addition, most experiments and researches involving placebos are related to the field of medicine. They are usually used as a control in testing drug or treatment. Even in the study of Leuchter et al, placebo treatment was compared to an antidepressant medication which is of course necessary in order to observe any changes brought about by the placebo. Their findings are very promising since the study will involve determining any significant changes in the mental performance of the participants.

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