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Have you ever been running late, jumped into the elevator, and started to press the 'close door' button, only to feel like it still took an eternity for the doors to close so you can get where you’re going?

It turns out, you were right to feel like pressing the button didn’t make a difference... because most 'close door' buttons don't actually do anything.

Elevators used to contain functioning ‘close door’ buttons, until 1990 when the Americans with Disabilities Act passed. The ADA contained new requirements for elevators: raised buttons, braille signs, and a set length of time for how long elevator doors must stay open. For people using crutches, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices, the ADA stipulated that elevator doors must remain open for at least three seconds, even if there was an impatient person inside trying to close them. This seems like an important safety regulation to assist and protect all elevator passengers. But then why do elevators still have ‘close door’ buttons?

Elevators made after 1990 either have a non-functioning door-close button or a door-close button with a three-second delay (which seems to defeat the purpose). But why manufacture elevators with this pointless extra button? The placebo effect.

Psychologists say that pressing the button and believing that it makes a difference in how quickly you make it to your appointment gives us a sense of perceived control over our lives that helps to reduce stress. Other placebo buttons include most crosswalk buttons and some office thermostats.

So go ahead and press the ‘close door’ button when you’re running late. It might not actually do anything to the elevator, but it might make you feel better about running late.

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Image Credit: Chaninny / Shutterstock.com

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