Which of the following is most likely to contribute to inflated perceptions of the effectiveness of alternative therapies such as herbal medicine?

A) meta-analysis
B) randomized clinical trials
C) the placebo effect
D) psychoanalysis

Alternative Therapies

Practices used instead of standard medical treatments, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, and yoga, often with an emphasis on holistic well-being.

Herbal Medicine

The practice of using plants and plant extracts for medicinal purposes to treat various health conditions.

Placebo Effect

A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment.