No. #56

Placebo
- Power of Expectation

The placebo effect arises when a person's condition improves due to their expectation that an intervention will help, despite the intervention having no therapeutic effect. This can be relevant in user experience, where the belief in the efficacy of a product or feature can influence satisfaction and outcomes.

Read more on Wikipedia

Product example

Users may report improvements in productivity or well-being after using a wellness app, based on their expectations rather than the app's functionality.

Empathy tips

1

Set Realistic Expectations

Clearly communicate what users can realistically expect from your product.

2

Measure Objective Outcomes

Incorporate ways to measure the objective outcomes of using your product.

3

User Education

Educate users about the placebo effect and its potential impact on their perception.

4

Feedback and Improvement

Use feedback mechanisms to distinguish between placebo effects and genuine product efficacy.

Need an empathic partner?

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Anna Lundqvist
UX & AI ethics expert driving better products and smarter teams.
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Eddy Salzmann
Design lead crafting seamless products and mentoring design teams.
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Ola Möller
Facilitator helping organisations see the big picture and take action.