Placebo button
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] Some office thermostats may also function similarly.[4]
References
- ^ a b Lockton, Dan (1 Oct 2008). "Placebo buttons, false affordances and habit-forming". Design with intent. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ Luo, Michael (27 Feb 2004). "For Exercise in New York Futility, Push Button". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ Paumgarten, Nick (21 Apr 2008). "Up and Then Down - The lives of elevators". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ^ Sandberg, Jared (15 Jan 2003). "Employees Only Think They Control Thermostat". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
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