What should participants in a study not drinking real alcohol be referred to?

Participants in a study who are not consuming real alcohol but are instead receiving a substance that resembles alcohol in some way are accurately referred to as a placebo group. The term "placebo" typically refers to a treatment or intervention that has no therapeutic effect and is often used to help control for the psychological effects of participants' expectations. In this scenario, the participants drinking a non-alcoholic version serve to ensure that any differences observed in behavior or responses can be attributed to the actual effects of alcohol rather than other factors, such as the participants' beliefs or expectations about the drink.

Designating these participants correctly as a placebo group enables researchers to compare their responses to those of participants who are consuming real alcohol. This comparison is key in determining the specific effects of alcohol, eliminating confounding variables that might influence the outcomes. Understanding the concept of a placebo is crucial in experimental psychology, particularly in studies examining substances that may alter cognition or behavior.