Answer : Option a) True.
Explanation : A placebo is a substance that is unlikely to affect the dependent variable. True as in a clinical trial for any change in the placebo arm is known as the placebo response, and the difference between this placebo response and the result of no treatment is called as the placebo effect. Therefore, a placebo may be given to any person in a clinical context in order to deceive that recipient into thinking that it is an part of active treatment. It actually resembles a drug but is not an actual active drug, so, it is clear that it will not affect dependent variable.