Pedestrian buttons at many large intersections donβt work.
Deliberately.
The lights are often timed according to traffic, so pressing the button multiple times won't make the little green man appear any sooner.
Same with the button to close the elevator door.
Repeatedly pressing the button doesnβt make them close any faster.
But while they might not work in the way we think they do, these placebo buttons are doing something very important β giving people a sense of agency.
We humans love to feel a sense of control, like our actions have a bearing on the outcome, and it pays to keep this in mind when you are trying to influence behaviour.
Giving people the opportunity to contribute to a project, policy or proposal can be more important than what they end up contributing.
π Just remember, itβs up to you to define which buttons you are happy for them to press.
π If you found this interesting, let me know! Buy me a virtual coffee β or forward this email βοΈ to someone who also might like it. Your occasional support means I can keep sharing ideas about behavioural science for free.
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