Placebo button
Encyclopedia
A placebo button, also called an idiot button, is a push-button with apparent functionality that actually has no effect when pressed, analogous to a placebo
. In other cases, a control like a thermostat may not be connected.
Although non-functional, the buttons can give the user an illusion of control
. In some cases the button may have been functional, but may have failed or been disabled during installation or maintenance. Only in relatively rare cases will the button have been deliberately designed to do nothing.
In many cases, a button may not appear to do something, but in fact cause behavior that is not immediately apparent; this can give the appearance of it being a placebo button.
s at pedestrian crossing
s were once functional in New York City, but now serve as placebo buttons.
s are placebo buttons, although some of them do in fact change the timing, and others are functional only when activated with a maintenance key.
1992 stock
and 1996 stock
include non-functional door open buttons - the doors instead opening automatically down the entire train. In addition, London Underground D stock
used on the District line were built with door open buttons which originally worked but were later disabled with doors being opened automatically by the driver. These buttons were subsequently removed when the stock was refurbished.
s in many office buildings in the United States of America are non-functional, installed to give tenants' employees a similar illusion of control.
Placebo
A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
. In other cases, a control like a thermostat may not be connected.
Although non-functional, the buttons can give the user an illusion of control
Illusion of control
The illusion of control is the tendency for people to overestimate their ability to control events, for instance to feel that they control outcomes that they demonstrably have no influence over. The effect was named by psychologist Ellen Langer and has been replicated in many different contexts. It...
. In some cases the button may have been functional, but may have failed or been disabled during installation or maintenance. Only in relatively rare cases will the button have been deliberately designed to do nothing.
In many cases, a button may not appear to do something, but in fact cause behavior that is not immediately apparent; this can give the appearance of it being a placebo button.
Walk buttons
Many walk buttonWalk button
A crossing button, or intersection crossing button , is a device typically integrated into modern traffic light configurations, the purpose of which is to allow pedestrians to safely cross a designated portion of a road...
s at pedestrian crossing
Pedestrian crossing
A pedestrian crossing or crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic...
s were once functional in New York City, but now serve as placebo buttons.
Elevator close buttons
Some door-close buttons in elevatorElevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s are placebo buttons, although some of them do in fact change the timing, and others are functional only when activated with a maintenance key.
London Underground train door buttons
London UndergroundLondon Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
1992 stock
London Underground 1992 Stock
The 1992 Tube Stock is the type of train used on the Central line and Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.-Construction:The 1992 Stock was built by ABB for the Central line as the result of the extensive testing of the three 1986 tube stock prototype trains...
and 1996 stock
London Underground 1996 Stock
The London Underground 1996 Stock is a deep tube train used on the Jubilee Line and one of the newest trains currently running on the network. They were built by Alstom and began service in 1997...
include non-functional door open buttons - the doors instead opening automatically down the entire train. In addition, London Underground D stock
London Underground D78 Stock
The London Underground D Stock is a type of electric multiple unit used on the London Underground District Line . The entire fleet is due to be replaced with S Stock trains in 2015.- History :...
used on the District line were built with door open buttons which originally worked but were later disabled with doors being opened automatically by the driver. These buttons were subsequently removed when the stock was refurbished.
Office thermostats
It has been reported that the temperature set point adjustment on thermostatThermostat
A thermostat is the component of a control system which regulates the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. The thermostat does this by switching heating or cooling devices on or off, or regulating the flow of a heat transfer...
s in many office buildings in the United States of America are non-functional, installed to give tenants' employees a similar illusion of control.