Which term describes an individual's experience of perceived improvement due to placebo?

The term that describes an individual's experience of perceived improvement due to a placebo is the placebo effect. This phenomenon occurs when a person experiences a reduction in symptoms or an improvement in their condition after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic value, such as a sugar pill or saline injection. The effect relies heavily on the individual's expectations and beliefs about the treatment; when a person believes they are receiving effective medication, their brain can trigger real physiological changes that lead to a perceived improvement in their symptoms.

In contrast, psychological resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt positively in the face of adversity, while mindfulness involves being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment. Cognitive dissonance describes the mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values. These concepts do not relate directly to the phenomenon of experiencing an improvement due to the influence of belief in a treatment, which is the hallmark of the placebo effect.