Placebo button

by Terry Moore on September 2nd, 2009

Think about this next time you are in a hurry and are pushing the walk button like crazy to cross the street and nothing seems to be happening.

A placebo button is a push-button that appears to do something, but actually has no effect, like a placebo. They exist to give the user an illusion of control.^[1]

Many walk buttons at pedestrian crossings in New York City were once functional, but now serve as placebo buttons.^[2] Many door close buttons in elevators are placebo buttons.^[1]^[3] Office thermostats may also function similarly.^[4]