The placebo effect uses positive expectations; the nocebo effect involves negative expectations. You see this not only in the medical world, but you see it in business as well. Expectations are an important part of how we function. Just as with the placebo effect in the medical world, we can also use those expectations in business to influence functioning.
The role of communication, expectations and having a common goal are hugely important in the placebo and nocebo effect. Andrea Evers, professor of health psychology at Leiden University, explains why and what the difference is between the placebo and nocebo and how you can harness them for your organization. Wendy van Ierschot, podcast creator for BNR, entrepreneur (VIE People) and investor (VIE Tech Capital) searches in her podcast for the answer to the question: what can science, which is linked to human behavior, bring us for inspiration and how does it give us an edge in mainstream business?
Unsafe work environment
"The placebo and nocebo effect makes it clear what an unsafe work environment can do to people ... we are directly investigating the negative effect it can have on people" Andrea Evers says of the research she is doing on the placebo and nocebo effect. It can have an effect on physical and cognitive complaints, which are very important for work situations. So you can use that the other way around: how to introduce an environment where people come in with the most positive expectations possible, then the company is most likely to reap the benefits of those positive expectations. The podcast reveals how to put this into practice.
Context matters
To properly employ the placebo and nocebo effect, context is essential. Take the example in the hospital, when you first walk in there. Andrea Evers describes the importance of the environment, the sound, light, even the smell, it all affects the confidence the environment exudes and the expectation that goes with it. Do not underestimate the importance of that environment, even if it is unconscious; this is also true in the workplace. A bad working atmosphere, for example, in one part of the organization can very quickly spread to the rest of the environment, so intervene quickly, but do not fall into the trap that putting up a ping pong table could solve your problems.
So how you can influence the environment can be heard in this podcast, which you listen to via your favorite podcast platform. Watch the show notes for more information and if you have questions or input, please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com.
Left:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/medewerkers/andrea-evers#tab-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRcrUgNBEic
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