Whenever we see a button，we are eager to press it because we know something will happen．This is true in most cases，for example on a doorbell and on the"on/off"button on the TV．But some buttons are actually fake，like the"close"button on a lift．
Many people are in the habit of pressing the"close"button because they don't have the patience to wait for the lift doors to shut．But lifts'"close"buttons are a complete scam （骗局），at least in the US--the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press．
Itstartedinthe1990swhentheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActwaspassedintheUS，makingsurethatallliftsstayedopenlongenoughsothatpeoplewithdisabilitiescouldenter．Only US firefighters and repairmen can use the buttons to speed up the door-closing process if they have a code or special keys．
But to normal lift riders，the buttons aren't completely useless．According to psychologists，fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control．
"Perceived（能够感知的）controlisveryimportant．It reduces stress and increases well-being，"Ellen J．Langer，a psychology professor，said，"having a lack of control is associated with depression．"
Experts have revealed that a lot of buttons that don't do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose． For example，many offices in the US have fake thermostats （温度调节器） because people tend to feel better when they think they can control the temperature in their workspace．
But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little"white lies"，they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close，it is considered to be worth the effort．
"That habit is here to stay，"John Kounios，a psychology professor，said．"EventhoughIhaverealdoubtsaboutthetrafficlightbuttons，Ialwayspressthem．Afterall，I'vegotnothingelsetodowhilewaiting．Sowhyno