A NARRATIVE STUDY ON HOW… 1

Effectiveness of Placebo on the Memorization Capacity of SHS students of Our Lady of

Fatima University

Jairah Molleda, Aryanne Magat, Kiara Gimeno, Andrea Penaflor, Evan Franco, Edwin Lopez Jr.,
Emmanuel Kwan

Senior High School

Humanities and Social Science

Our Lady of Fatima University

Mr. Christian Abaga

March 2017
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Date: March 2017

Table of Contents, List of Tables, Figures and Appendices

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Background 3

2.1 Theoretical Framework 4

2.2 Variable Discussion 5

2.3 Research Paradigm 6

3.0 Research Methodology 7

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Research Locale

3.3 Key Informant Selection

3.4 Research Ethics 8

3.5 Research Instrument

3.6 Data Collection

3.7 Data Analysis 9

4.0 Results 10

5.0 Discussion 16

6.0 Conclusion 17

7.0 Recommendation 18

Appendices 19
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Abstract

This research consists of topics, related literature, information and data on how the
Physical Appearance of Teachers affects those they teach. It is a collection of supporting
evidences that sheds light to the effects that students might have from teachers, specifically from
their Physical imagery. It is conducted for the sole purpose of raising awareness and giving
proper information to those who are affected by the topic of this research, mainly the instructors
and the students. The data that the Researchers have gathered was from doing interviews from
different people with different backgrounds, and in the result section in this research- it is evident
that almost all of the participants have the same thought and perspective on the Physical
Appearance of teachers. Most of the participants also based their answers from their own
experiences, which then further proves the Researcher’s claim that the Physical characteristics of
teachers play a significant role in the students’ intellectual and cognitive capacity. It shows that
the students remember or take note of what their instructors look like, which then enhances the
theory that this research supports.

Key Words: Physical Appearance, Teachers, Students, Lived Experiences, Learning Process,
Improvement, Raising Awareness
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1.0 Introduction

The veracity of life is told in a plethora of explanations, ideas, theories and beliefs.
And that in itself is a study yet to be further exasperated on. But the thought of
questioning and doubting already puts the profound understanding of the human brain
in a much more wide-scale phenomenon. This leads to discoveries, adventures and
everything in between. The human life is of constant involvement in everything, and for
the brain to even grasp the existence of it- is beyond unprecedented logical philosophy.

That goes to show how much the human brain is actually capable of; and what more
it can become. It has been a subject of research, even before the principle of it even
began. The innovation of technology made possible the progress of coming closer to
fully understanding the human brain, but it is still not enough to understand the true
power of the brain.

The history of medicine and its field date back to as early as the Babylonian, Chinese
and the Egyptian era. Prominently the practice and the beliefs have changed drastically
throughout the years, leading to significant differences in all of its aspects. Even though
its course had changed, a few of ancient medical practices are still around. From the
Chinese’s herbal medicines, to the British’s leech therapy- it all proves that some beliefs
may hold greater truth than commonly perceived. In the process of healing, the body
unites as a unit to eliminate the threat. The immune system of the body is always on
constant alert for any implications that may occur, that is why most people only catch
the common cold once or twice a year. But in the midst of it all, it always takes more
than just the physical aid for the body to be well.

With all of those points conveyed, this leads the reasons and the vitality of the
study- in order for it to actually play a justified role in the progress of not only the
understanding of the human brain- but also act as a contribution in the never-ending
expansion of human knowledge. Conjugating the two main points together, this gives
enough bases for the foundation of the study.
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2.0 Background

The brain shoulders a lot of responsibility even if it is not undergoing anything other than
the usual day-to-day activities. For it to be the control system of the body while under stress and
illness, only doubles the load on it. But little do most people know, the brain can be so much
more than just the head of the operation. According to the Researchers from
Neuropsychopharmacology, “Placebos are not inert substances, as thus far believed. They are
made of words and rituals, symbols, and meanings, and all these elements are active in shaping
the patient’s brain.” (Fabrizio Benedetti, Elisa Carlino, and Antonella Pollo, 2011) Taking this
concept in consideration, the main structure of Placebo Effects is through psychology of the
human body.

“The placebo effect is the most interesting phenomenon in all of science; it’s at the
precise interface of biology and psychology.” (Mogil, 2013) It has been known that ancient
medical procedures that includes “Magic”, one wa of another it almost always includes the brain.
The phenomenon that is the Placebo Effect shows the profound connection to everything, and
expands the horizon for future medical procedures- that could very well be one of the main
foundations of improving the human life and its normalcy.

It is a well-known thought that the human brain is capable of spectacular things, and
people discover more and more about it every day. It astonishes a lot of people, as it is known to
be a subject of entertainment. It has been used as the main protagonist and or antagonist in certain
movies that has graced the screens and lives of millions of people. Naturally, majority of those
who have seen those kinds of movies are mentally affected- whether they are aware of it or not.
The public’s perception of the human brain can say a lot about what the society has been feeding
them, and for most it may seem fictional. But in reality, they may not be too far away from- well,
reality.

The Placebo Effect targets the patient’s subconscious through certain rituals or
procedures, “Now, placebos demonstrate the perception alters physical health. Research shows
that diverse brain regions are involved, including stimulation of natural opiod neurotransmitters
and dopamine. Most of the research addressing these mechanisms has been related to placebo
effects on pain, which have been the easiest to study,” (Leiff, 2015) With that being said, the
mainstream idea that the brain only uses 10% of even the simplest form of activity. But even with
that, there is still a lingering question with how much can the brain do.
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“The placebo effect is more than positive thinking- believing a treatment or procedure
will work. It’s about creating a stronger connection between the brain and body and how they
work together”, (Kaptchuk, 2017) The statement said by Professor Ted Kaptchuk of Harvard-
affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, strengthens the Researchers claim that the body
is a unit- and should act like it especially in threatening situations. The Placebo Effect is proven
to be more than just a psychological way to improve the ailment, but it also is a way to unite
every aspect of the body for an over-all improvement.

The Researchers aim to penetrate the public’s idea of the human brain. And make it
known that it can withstand almost anything- Hence, can achieve things which are thought
impossible. Not only that, but the Researchers also wants this study to further improve the on-
going research about Placebo effects- and it’s significance in the modern-day society. Since it is
still being studied to this day, the Researchers hope this study would contribute in the foundation
of future Medical Field- and expand the horizon for procedures that5 involves or is related to
Placebo Effects.

3.0 Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

The Researchers used a Quantitative Experimental type of research for the study, and
conducted experiments with participants who are drawn from randomly. With the data collected
from the participants, the Researchers will be able to gather enough information to interpret the
numerical equivalent of the study to a descriptive text in which the reader would find easier to
understand.

3.2 Research Locale

The study was conducted at Our Lady of Fatima University- Antipolo Campus, located in
KM 23 Sumulong Highway, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Antipolo City. The Researchers conducted the
experiment in the said location because it is convenient for the Researchers and therefore, the data
is collected easier. It is vital to state that the study does not ask for any special requirements,
which goes to say that the research locale didn’t affect the results of the experiment itself.
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3.3 Key Informant Selection

Our Lady of Fatima University offers the K-12 Curriculum where the Researchers will be
randomly drawing participants from, using the Simple Random Sampling (SRS). The Simple
Random Sampling technique is a sampling technique that allows each member to have equal
chances to be chosen. The Researchers chose this type of sampling to eliminate any kind of bias
that may or may not affect the result of the study. This would strengthen the reliability of the
research, therefore adding further durability to the entirety of the study.

3.4 Research Ethics

In Researches that involves human participants, it is vital to remember the ethical

protocols that is made in order to perform the study in a reliable and safe manner. The
Researchers passed out Consent Forms approved by the Research Advisor and signed by the
University’s respective personnel. This is to make sure that the data collected from the
participants are conducted in a comfortable environment. For the research itself to be vaunted as
reliable and true, the Researchers made sure that the respondents are situated in an adequate
enough place and state before proceeding with the sequence of the experiment.

3.5 Research Instrument

Since the study is quantitative experimental, the Researchers used a variable to be able to
stimulate the Placebo Effect of the participants. The Researchers made a simple concoction of
water, salt, half-a-packet of a commercial apple powder juice drink and food coloring- which is
intended to act as a “Memory Efficient Drink” or MED. This is to intentionally trick the
participant’s brain subconsciously, hence the phenomenon that is the Placebo Effect. The MED is
intended to act as a fraudulent scientifically advanced drink that “improves the brain’s ability to
remember information quickly and efficiently, as it restores and acts like a defibrillator for the
nerve cells deep inside the medial temporal lobe, known as the limbic system.” But the study is
actually trying to see if the MED would triumphantly work as the stimuli for the Placebo Effect to
take place, since there is no active ingredient in the drink that would substantially help the
memory of the respondents.

3.6 Data Collection

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The participants were individually tested, to prevent any type of extraneous variable that
may affect the validity of the data collected. One by one, the participants was given a paragraph
to read and memorize in only a minute. Then the participant was asked to cite the paragraph given
as best as they can, as the Researchers take down the results. After that the participant was then
given the “Memory Efficient Drink” or MED, and is given another test in a form of another
paragraph- which is entirely different from the one given before in taking the MED. Then the
participant will be asked to yet again, recite the paragraph given to them- with the help of the
“special concoction” to aid their memory.

3.7 Data Analysis

The Data was then translated in to numerical equivalents, to give a more statistical
perception of the results. Then the Researchers translated the data collected, to further elaborate
the meaning of the entire experiment and also to give added information on the procedure. The
Researchers made sure that the data collected was interpreted carefully and evidently transcribed
to eliminate any misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the study.

4.0 Results

Pre-Test
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances

Male Female
Mean 0.142857 0.325
Variance 0.131868 0.225
Observations 14 40
Pooled Variance 0.201717
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 52
t Stat -1.30598
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.098653
t Critical one-tail 1.674689
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.197306
t Critical two-tail 2.006647
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Post-Test
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances

Male Female
Mean 0.214285714 0.65
Variance 0.181318681 0.233333333
Observations 14 40
Pooled Variance 0.22032967
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 52
t Stat -2.989251395
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.002131788
t Critical one-tail 1.674689154
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.004263577
t Critical two-tail 2.006646805

Senior high school male students got a mean of 0.14 on pre-test, while 0.21 on post-test and
female students get a mean 0.33 on pre-test while 0.18 on post-test.

In our p value pre-test get 0.2 results while 0.4 on post test result and our alpha is 0.5

Based on our result we reject Ho because both post and pre-test did not exceed our cut point
which is alpha 0.5.

5.0 Discussion

The respondents were given enough information and explanation that the (MED) could
increase the memorization capacity of the brain. Most of the respondents had positive effects on
the post-test results. Not looking at the extraneous variables the respondents “mostly” made the
experiment a success.
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6.0 Conclusion

Therefore, The Researcher's found out the efficiency of Placebo effect in the
Memorization Skills of Senior High School students in Our Lady of Fatima University S.Y.
2017-2018.

Wherein the researchers conducted an experiment that will aid the respondents sub-
conscious mind into tricking them that the "Memory Efficient Drink" (MED) they drank has
really a substance that will somehow boost your memorization skills but in reality there was no
said active ingredient.

As the results show there is definitely a change in the numerical data gathered and this is
enough to show that there is impact on the respondents study. This only proves that mind over
matter can really control on how you perceived it to be and on how you will make yourself
believe in what you thought that would happen and apparently it will hence this makes the
researchers study plausible.

7.0 Recommendation

The researchers were able to accomplish the main purpose of the study in which to find
proof of placebo being effective, further investigations and experiments should be conducted
towards the validation of these findings and there are still areas that need to improve. The future
researchers are deemed to conduct studies that will further characterize the cogency of placebo to
its most limits, the future researchers could confirm the results of this study through more
controlled environment and with more time given.
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Endorsement

This thesis entitled: “Effectiveness of Placebo on the Memorization Capacity of SHS students of
Our Lady of Fatima University” prepared by Jairah Mae B. Molleda et al. of Grade 12, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for Humanities and Social Science has been examined and now
recommended for Oral Examination.

This is to certify that Jairah Mae B. Molleda et al. are ready for the Oral Examination.

Mr. Christian Abaga

Adviser
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Certificate of Originality

We hereby declare that this thesis is our own work and that, to the best of our knowledge
and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material
to which to a substantial extent has been accepted for award of any other degree or diploma of a
university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgement is made in the
text.

We also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of our work, even though
we may have received assistance from others on style, presentation and language expression.

Jairah Mae B. Molleda

Principal Investigator

Members:

Francis Ara Kesel L. Gimeno

Aryanne Magat

Andrea Penaflor

Evan Franco

Edwin Lopez Jr.

Emmanuel Kwan

Mr. Christian Abaga

Adviser
A NARRATIVE STUDY ON HOW… 13

Acknowledgement

The Researchers would like to express their gratitude to their Thesis Adviser, Mr
Christian Abaga- for helping the Researchers with conducting this study right. The Researchers
also want to extend their thanks to everyone who participated in the research, one way or another-
The Researchers cannot be thankful enough for everything those people have done. Lastly, the
Researchers would like to give the Reader a humble and warm thank you, for reading and for
taking this study in account.