The label can give (imaginary) wings: The Placebo Effect of Energy Drinks

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: This study addresses the influence of energy drinks on concentration, examining in particular the impact of their stimulating ingredients (physiological effect) and product label (label/placebo effect) on objectively measured and perceived concentration. A 3 x 3 (beverage x product label) – cross-factorial between-subjects design was applied. 364 students sampled a beverage, evaluated their perceived concentration at different points in time and completed a standardized concentration test after a latency of 30 minutes. While the beverage itself had neither an effect on perceived concentration nor on the concentration test results, perceived concentration was influenced by the product label. The relation between the product label and perceived concentration was partly mediated by expectations, which in turn were conditionally moderated by the global belief in the efficacy of energy drinks.Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents: Abstract2 Zusammenfassung (German Abstract)3 A.Theory Introduction4 Energy Drinks as stimulant Drinks5 Psychological Mechanisms influencing Product Performance8 Theoretical Background9 Empirical Evidence11 Impact of the global Belief15 B.Method Participants16 Stimuli16 Experimental Design and Procedure18 Measures20 Measurement of objectively measured Concentration21 Measurement of perceived Concentration21 Measurement of the global Belief22 C.Results Manipulation Checks23 Analyses of Effects on Concentration23 Preliminary Analyses23 Impact of the Beverage24 Impact of the Product Label26 Indirect Effects of Expectations and the global Belief28 Mediationg Role of Expectations29 Global Belief as Moderator32 D.Discussion Conclusions35 Main Effects of the Beverage and the Product Label36 Indirect Effects40 Methodological Limitations and further Research43 Closing Remarks45 References46 Author’s Note54 Table 155 Figure Captions56Textprobe:Text Sample: Chapter ‘Empirical Evidence’: There is a wide range of empirical evidence revealing the influence of external cues on product evaluation, thereby proving the existence of the labeling effect. In one of the most popular studies on the influence of a label on taste-related judgments Allison & Uhl (1964) asked beer drinkers to rate different kinds of beer. In a blind test ratings did not vary amongst the different beers, but when the beers were labeled subjects gave the one they usually prefer higher ratings, these being [...]