medium · LSAT Logical Reasoning
All participants in the medical trial were told that the new drug was designed to lower blood pressure. One group received the drug, while the control group received a sugar pill. Interestingly, 15 percent of the control group also showed a significant decrease in blood pressure.
Which of the following most likely explains the decrease in blood pressure in the control group?
- Anticipating a beneficial treatment can itself induce measurable physiological changes in some patients.
- The sugar pills given to the control group unintentionally contained an active compound affecting circulation.
- The researchers inadvertently swapped the records of the drug group and the control group.
- Blood pressure varies so widely on its own that any 15 percent change carries no real significance.
- The control group's improvement shows the new drug is no more effective than a placebo.
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