You Don't Have as Much Control as You Think You Do

[@ghqebvful]

Where I live the crosswalks buttons actually work. You'll be waiting a long time if you don't push the button

[@key099able]

That is not how European elevators work (At least in my apartment), because I can press a button and it closes immediately, otherwise it automatically close after 10 seconds.

[@swisstraeng]

Karl Eriksson same

[@PikaPetey]

It's so funny to watch people push the cross walk button over and over and over as if it's going to do something.

[@WhiteSamurott]

We're all guilty

[@TheGoodyNL]

I just do it because I've got nothing better to do than waiting for the light to turn green anyway, so why not entertain myself with a pointless button :D

[@twentyonescooters6469]

Pikapetey Animations on some crosswalks you have to push the cross button. If you don't, when the light turns green, the signal to walk will stay as a stop hand

[@HoD999x]

there are many stanley's out there

[@RBuckminsterFuller]

But pushing it over and over and over again isn't going to make the green light come around faster.

[@alijayameilio]

It's kinda like bashing A and B button when catching pokémon...

[@noxiebobo]

Lol yes

[@gooblepls3985]

Ali Jaya Meilio Lie for me it was holding B and down!

[@Laezar1]

in the first version pressing B actually did increase the capture rate of the poke balls to that of a hyper ball. Was a glitch so yeah it isn't usefull anymore, but it really did work at some point.

[@flopperdilly9]

Citation? Ahh nevermind.... it's the KZbin comments section... citation is frowned upon.

[@dajuanmoten7278]

Ali Jaya Meilio Lie what that doesn't work

[@fireriffs]

All control is an illusion. None of us really has control over anything except ourselves, and most of us don't have much self control either.

[@javojavojavojavo]

Not even ourselves I think. You can't control your desires, then you'll think: " but I can control my actions". Then I say " that's your prevalent desire at the moment." Ok bye.

[@deqofarax1088]

fireyf There are people who control others. They're called manipulators.

[@fireriffs]

Even with manipulators, there is no guarantee the person they are trying to manipulate will do what they want them to. They know how people tend to react to certain things, but ultimately the victim decides what they will do.

[@spore6076]

+fireyf the most trusted people in the world are manipulators and its working while most people don't even have a clue

[@TheNeilDarby]

Where do our thoughts and actions come from? Do you decide to think how you do and to have the abilities that you do? No.

[@katylyn1644]

Well, I once got stuck in an elevator, pushing the button really didn't make any difference...but I still fell into panic

[@kenny-zc9ti]

Katylyn try that in my school's lift. the lift will get stuck whenever blackout occurs (althogh generator is running) and the "bell" button doesn't do anything

[@Niki1A_]

Did you know you usually have to push a bell button in an elevator for about 3 seconds to make it work? That is because they don't want that someone pushes it accidentally or just to troll them. They assume that, if you are really stuck in the elevator, you will try to push the button longer after a few minutes. (I disagree!)

[@kenny-zc9ti]

Niki1A even the button isn't 100% in the right condition, and yes we have tried. it is a crappy second hand lift that our school bought. everytime we had blackout the lift will be stuck until someone from outside pressed the button. there was even an incident where the lift dropped slowly from 3rd floor to 2nd floor. fortunately i was so tired people thought i was high so i didn't panic

[@NecroBones]

A number of years ago, I heard about a case of a medical device (I don't remember what kind) that was frustrating doctors, because it was completely automatic, and there was no way to adjust it manually. So the manufacturer added a non-functioning knob, and the complaints stopped, complete with doctors going so far as to start trading their favorite settings on the dial. I think this was mentioned in one of the psychology classes I took many years ago, so I'm fuzzy on the details. If the story is true, it would be a great anecdotal story to include in a future episode. :)

[@Mu51kM4n]

"You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when things go "according to plan." Even if the plan is horrifying!" (Joker, The Dark Knight)

[@poorplayer9249]

Control begins with the realization that some days you're the windshield, some days, the bug. Normal is the state of accepting that.

[@0xBADFECE5]

"You don't have as much control as you think" What if I already think I have zero control because everything that happens is either already guaranteed by the laws of physics or completely random if quantum events are in play?

[@Triniswe]

I usually push the cross walk button again because I forgot i've already pushed it once before.

[@torilee6677]

Yup or to make sure I hit it hard enough

[@LB-vf2hm]

just tap it repeatedly, maybe give it a good kick.

[@ThePCguy17]

It makes me feel better, even though I realize that pushing it more than once does nothing. And when I'm really in a hurry, I jaywalk, because waiting for the signal, whether it's calculating based on your button press or not, is going to be slower nearly every time.

[@LB-vf2hm]

ThePCguy17 same here, but only after waiting long enough that the walk light comes on when I'm halfway across.

[@quin2910]

ThePCguy17 wait... jaywalking is an actual thing 😂. Although I don't live in America I am here at the moment and I do it every time unless it is a busy intersection

[@1337watchtower]

I have been told by someone about the traffic light buttons before but they do actually work in the Netherlands. I know elevators in the Netherlands that have working door closing buttons too. Now that I know there is a law in your country that requires elevator doors to remain open for an amount of time I think I know where the rumour came from. It's country-specific information spread over the internet in the English language that scientists from all over the world use and thus can read. Your laws don't apply everywhere so be careful what you say!

[@NameOfRain]

This is interesting to think of in terms of people who are in abusive relationships or abusive home situations, or when dealing with someone close who has an addiction. Many people in these situations, especially children, blame themselves for the abuser or addict's behavior. In children especially, you see magical thinking, and in adults it becomes "I did this/ I said this/ I didn't do or say this or this and I caused it" when really the addict or abuser's behavior is often unpredictable and is primarily influenced by the addict/ abuser's own thoughts and misconceptions. So why would people blame themselves for this? Perhaps the comfort of the illusion of control, even at the cost of a person's self-esteem, is more comforting than the truth that the abuser/addict's behavior isn't driven by them and is out of their control. Perhaps this is why people stay in toxic relationships as long as they do and why they often try to "fix" the addict or abuser.

[@Scribblersys]

I have definitely used intersections where the crosswalk doesn't activate at all unless someone pushes the button.

[@BFHTTDude]

In the city I live in, some buttons by traffic lights actually control if the crosswalk lights will go green or not. They won't change the timers for vehicular traffic, but they still do the difference between green or red for pedestrians. However, it is only SOME of the traffic lights it happens at, so eventually you just decide to click all the buttons to avoid you from not having a green light to cross the road.

[@miles2419]

The hospital control and panic thing? In mental health facilities where you're forced to stay until you "get better" (or your insurance drops you, but if you're court ordered that's not a possibility), it's horrible. Panic is SO much worse there. Which really is ironic, too.

[@twentyonescooters6469]

To override the elevator you just hold the close button AND the floor you want to go to at the same time for the duration of the time you're in the elevator. (It won't stop on any other floor until you get to the floor you want to go to.)

[@WilliamWallace14051]

Atilano Vallejo Only if the controller is programmed with that feature.

[@Qman621]

Right, only some elevator manufacturers have this feature - most have a key for firefighters that isn't actually that hard to get...

[@Kluneberg]

Also this seems to be an American thing, I'm from an European country, the close button closes the doors as soon as you press it.

[@tehKap0w]

bios47 he _did_ say it was because of the "*Americans* with disabilities act."

[@200odd300]

How do you get a key when you're not a firefighter?

[@moxsedai]

note to self: always check a scishow channel at 2:00.

[@KendallKotcher]

The effectiveness of perceived control reminds me of the quote "isn't it pretty to think so?" By Hemingway. Even though I probably don't have much control, it's pretty to think I do (and a lot less taxing!)

[@Saplingbat]

"Pound that open door button, that one still works" YOU MAD MAN! You'll throw everything into chaos

[@BSHoce]

elevator door closing buttons works in finland, there is huge difference in delay when door closes

[@alkatron768]

SciShow "Psych, Gotcha"

[@snake698]

If you one is around, I keep kicking the wall until the elevator comes. Makes me think it will come faster because I'm punishing it

[@josephsalomone]

In most elevators, the close door button will do stuff after a set amount of time. You will notice this when someone holds the door open, the door close button will cause the door to close sooner.

[@beargryllsfan007]

I couldn't control myself clicking on this video

[@s4b521]

The open button works, but the side effect it pisses off the people with you.

[@jebcui]

the cross walk button actually works for me. Every time I don't press it, it doesn't allow me to go across, but when I press it allows me to cross.

[@pyroromancer]

i don't think i've ever pushed the close doors button, knowing that it will close itself eventually but i've certainly held down the leave open button for people getting on and off.

[@laurenconrad1799]

Funny, the elevators in my apartment are brand new and the door-closing buttons totally work. But that may be because the building is full of older people with walkers and wheelchairs and the doors usually do take their time unless someone is already in the elevator and able to be like, “ok, no wheelchair here this time. Let’s push the button.” 🙂

[@Great_Olaf5]

The cross walk over is hilarious. My town switched from automatic timed lights to buttons on major downtown intersections. The buttons were absolutely not present when I was a kid, then they just showed up at some point either late in high school or not too long into college. I think it was to try encouraging more foot traffic. I'm also quite certain that they're real, because the crosswalk light will literally never turn unless you push the button, even when the other lights turn. I sat through six full light changes before I realized this.

[@romantheflash]

I love learning about these experiments and how how brains constantly perceive different things, we constantly look for patterns and it's interesting to see how much control we think we have. This is why placebo's can be so strong.

[@InciniumVGC]

This is exactly how prayer "works"

[@franky_521]

PsiUmbreon I pray to myself every night

[@InciniumVGC]

Helpfulreality yeah and its exactly like pressing a button that doesn't do anything. Gives you the illusion of control over your life.

[@gsogymrat]

PsiUmbreon Isn't a lot of Christian prayer about surrendering control? "Jesus take the wheel", "Let go and let God" and such? I'm not a Christian but it seems many believe people don't have control but God does.

[@TheReaverOfDarkness]

and that's why I'm an atheist

[@revimfadli4666]

TheReaverOfDarkness and yet, this is also how atheism works, at least for many

[@TheReaverOfDarkness]

I am apparently not very good at fooling myself. When I don't have control, I figure it out rather than believe that I do.

[@Nathouuuutheone]

The concept of the illusion of control can be a pretty big deal in video games too. Video games where you have sense of agency are way more popular and get you to play longer. Even if you have no real agency. If they can just make you think you have control over what's happening, they're doing it right.

[@marilynapple2445]

I never push those buttons; always knew they couldn't possibly do anything

[@lewisarmstead3271]

As a student at Ohio State, (1975) I discovered that my cheap AM radio, with earphone, allowed me to hear the relay click when I pushed the crosswalk button on High Street intersections. It was then possible to know which buttons functioned. Absolutely important info LOL.....So,yeah, I DID know which buttons worked. An unintentional hack.

[@1BlueYoshi]

I always thought that if I ever somehow became an evil overlord I would make it so that whenever you pressed the crosswalk button, the timer would restart

[@roselover411]

At my old work place, we actually had an elevator with a glitch, that if you pressed the number of the floor and then the close button fast enough while the elevator was still opening, it would close immediately the moment it finished opening. You had to be quick enough to trigger it though, or else the close button would do nothing like it's supposed to. I'm not sure why it worked, it could be that it was just old enough that it used to have a real button to close the doors, but I guarantee it worked for everyone in my division.

[@aliensinnoh1]

I know that the crosswalk buttons at my university actually do work. It's always the same pattern, street 1 goes, street 2 goes, then the crosswalk stop all traffic at the intersection. But if the button hasn't been pressed, it doesn't stop the traffic. I make this crossing multiple times per day, so I've been able to spend a lot of time analyzing it. Too much time.

[@angeldude101]

I don't care if I caused the light to change. If there is a cross-light and I can't find a button, I feel comfortable knowing that I'll get a chance to walk. If there is a button, I press it not out of wanting control, but out of fear that if I don't press it it will never change. There are still buttons out there that if you don't press them, the cross-light will stay off. It has no effect on the main light (at least no more than the fact that a car is waiting) but it _does_ have an effect on the walk light.

[@nate882]

Free will is an illusion

[@fernbedek6302]

Living in Canada, I am certain that most 'close door' buttons work. Crosswalk buttons depend on where you are, but I know for a fact that some work (because if you don't push the button you get to have the don't walk hand stay even when the light changes).

[@13nwaffles]

This is similar reasoning to why I believe people tend to reject philosophical arguments against the existence of free will. We developed a sense of "free will" in the first place because the sense of choice is cathartic; it doesn't make our will truly free but it explains why we really want to feel like it is

[@roguedogx]

"people are remarkably good at diluting themselves" ...... I NOTICED!!

[@Barnardrab]

Just when I thought I found all the SciShow channels... subscribed.

[@Ubeogesh]

In my country the close doors button does work. Whew.

[@emperorSbraz]

i know i don't have control. i let my brain do what it is good at, and go with the dopamine flow.

[@outaspaceman]

This vid basically explained Deal or No Deal to me.

[@Mattteus]

Isn't there something in The Art of War that says to properly rule over a nation is to make the subjects feel they aren't ruled or something like that?

[@RebeccaS1231]

That crossing button one certainly isn't true where I live as the crossing indicator only lights up when the button hasn't been pressed, so if no one ever pushes it then no one is ever allowed to cross, even if the traffic lights block any cars from driving through

[@akumualex]

It's funny when you get in an elevator and someone starts bashing the close button because they see people coming and then you just pass your hand through the sensor and the door opens for them :'3

[@vm360fly]

Do you plan on making an episode on personnality disorders such as the one you did on SciShow psychology a while ago? It left me hungry for more!

[@Fanzeees]

Germany here: at my university I'm able to close the elevator door in acutally 4sec... so luckely I have 100% controll over my life ;) great Video and topic! keep going!!

[@thunderloong]

Intuition has an effect in our life and the tickets the people selected probably were statistically worth more.

[@MelodyRaindo]

Fascinating video! Thank you

[@zeromailss]

yeeeeezzz, a weekly dose of vsauce, can't wait for more

[@yatox8]

I click beep the crosswalk buttons every second, *beep-boop* *beep-boop* just because I'm bored when standing. But it does allow the WALK symbol to take precedence over Right Turn Arrows and such in most cases. SO BEEP AWAY MY FRIENDS!

[@ByrdNick]

Thanks for not making the mistake of inferring something about *free will* from these kinds of studies. :)

[@98operate]

Does this also fit in the category of when you use the "force" to close the elevator doors?

[@herculesrockefeller2984]

I remember when the elevator door buttons worked.. I remember the doors opened and we all saw the floors zooming passed.. This was back when kids got spankings, I got one.

[@davidec6631]

crosswalks buttons do work, here in Spain at least, if nobody pushes it, it last more than if someone do, believe me, I used my clock once, some even turn green in seconds, I have seen it several times so...

[@mikeo.4924]

As a cyclist, I KNOW you have to push some of those buttons to give you a green. And I also know it's perfectly legal for me to treat those faulty lights as stop signs and carefully proceed.

[@Beaver1224]

"Pound that open door button. That still works." You're promoting anarchy, Hank. ANARCHY!

[@UMosNyu]

Heard about this in another context: driving cars. You think you can control how save you are by driving more slowly or "saver".

[@Bonesters]

Whats really annoying is when the elevator controls glitch out, and the elevator door never closes.

[@glacialimpala]

Most hotels I've been to (Europe) have a working button for closing which is so satisfying to use when a nasty person starts walking towards you and you don't wanna ride with them 😂

[@NombreNoBailable]

Here in Spain many traffic light buttons are placed in lights that don't turn green unless you press them. So at least those do work

[@elisam.r.9960]

Well, now I'm wondering if my building's elevator is non-ADA compliant, because that close button legitimately works.

[@James-pb7kr]

What's an elevator? I take the stairs.

[@kangourouuu1]

Reminds me of Elton Mayo's experiments, about how simply "changing the setup of workstations" (even for the worse) made people happier and more productive. Experiments that developed (if I'm not mistaken) into letting the employee choose when to work and when to take brakes (as long as they work the right amount of time). That simple "control" over their work-time, which was tho mostly less likely to be well organized since time periods were previously optimized, still made people happier and more productive. And then, we thought the workplace would finally become pleasing, until we forgot it all.^^ Another experiment by [IDon'tRemember] was precisely about the *illusion* of control : two groups of rats in cages with an electrified ground. Shocks given at random. But in one group, a red light turns on a few seconds before a shock. Results ? Less stress in rats that could be alerted of a shock than in those who simply took it. Tho they both had no control, the simple fact of holding the information seconds before was enough. 'cause, no, "bracing for shock" isn't much worth.^^

[@johnrickard8512]

Strangely, I don't push the close door button very often(probably because I don't care if it takes 10 or 15 seconds for the elevator to disembark).

[@myscreen2urs]

I'm guilty of knowing that the cross walk buttons are fake but I push them anyway, like an idiot. To be fair, there's something satisfying about pushing buttons. Maybe I'd still push them if they didn't actually do anything.... Oh wait.....

[@PinkChucky15]

I knew it! I knew those crosswalk buttons were useless!

[@fireriffs]

Yep, doesn't take long to figure that out. I only know of one that actually does anything but it's hooked up to a light that only changes when the button is pressed.

[@ronmorey1246]

Does it make me weird that I immediately upon seeing the time it took for the door to shut despite the button push figured it didn't work, and thus tested it a couple more times that day to make sure I was 100% right?

[@suicune2001]

I don't know if it's delusion or the Skinner box effect but I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone mash on the walk button for 2 minutes straight. I don't know if they honestly believe they have any control over when the traffic lights change or they think the button is just really unreliable so they need to push it repeatedly. I've even told people that it's automatic and pushing the button does nothing and that same person will mash the button the next day as if I never said anything.

[@emmetcameron1026]

I push the crosswalk button every time even though I know it doesn't do anything, even if the light has already changed, because I just like buttons.

[@gigaherz_]

If you look at a traffic light, and you think hard enough for long enough, it will eventually obey you.

[@tamerius1]

In the Netherlands the elevator close buttons (at least the ones that I use/saw) close the elevator, didn't know it was different in America.

[@unaliveeveryonenow]

Just let me do my rain dance.

[@Valendr0s]

I notice when I push a close button and it doesn't work. It's a lot of elevators I ride. BUT... the one at work. I ride it all the time and I'm pretty darn sure that close button works. It won't work immediately. If I had to guess I'd say it has a minimum time limit it must stay open, an automatic close time that's maybe 5-6 seconds after that, and a maximum open time before it closes regardless of what's in the way or what buttons are pushed (you must force it open with your hand), and a super-maximum time before it starts beeping angrily. I'd guess it's 5 seconds minimum open time. 10 seconds automatic close time. 20 seconds ignore inputs you must force the door time. And 30 seconds I will beep like I'm being assaulted time. But between that 5 and 10 seconds I'm PRETTY sure that close button works... it MUST... I'm like... very certain... probably... I have control... I swear I have control... :-(

[@kaizer.1]

At least here in Canada the close button on elevators work here

[@pcgamer4742]

the next time i use a cross ima just wait for it to say walk instead of pressing the button.

[@Nr2reaper]

Here crosswalks is controlled by the button, but its on a "cooldown". So if none is crossing, then it wont stop traffic. If its been ON recently then it will take about 1-2 minutes again before stopping traffic again. But if it hasn't been used in a while, it turns green after just a few seconds after its done the "procedure" in doing red light for traffic and green for the walkway. Seems super inefficient to stop traffic if none is crossing, or instantly whenever someone is crossing....

[@draco18s]

I've known the button hasn't done anything for years.

[@thevenom3125]

The time stamp is 4:20

[@ishmiel21]

So he just implied that it is OK to lie to people as long as it makes him feel better. I'm not sure if I agree with that. I don't think I do.

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

I don't think he was saying it's ok to lie to people so much as laying out the facts for us. It is what it is; the reality of a situation has nothing to do with whether we like it or not. I don't appreciate being lied to or tricked--but I accept I can't control the behavior of others. Deceptive or not.

[@vexaris1890]

I thought this would get into the direction of "Being No One" by Thomas Metzinger.. that would also make a great video.

[@nephildevil]

Elevators and crosswalks aside I don't feel like I have any control, except over myself, at least I have that, many ppl get bossed around all day and often develop some sort of Stockholm syndrome thanking their boss for it lol

[@AsylumPatients]

the close door button still works in australia... at least on every elevator i have ever been on it has.

[@Overtonl1234]

Nobody controls anything or anyone- they might manipulate your situation or try to force situations but it’s not gonna happen. Leave people alone.

[@teamjesusfreak8402]

The closed door buttons on elevators in Canada do work provided you are also holding a number button at the same time it's also is a cheat hack it will skip the rest of the buttons pushed on the elevator and bring you directly to the floor you have chosen

[@Ontime2day]

4:20 for the extra loss of mind control

[@jijipoid]

I lived in a building where that close door button does work.. it kind of sucks because of jerks that think it is imperative that they get to sit on their couch as soon as possible.. but I have used it when there wasn't anyone around.. it will close almost as soon as i get on if i push that button.. but then i live in the Midwest.. we are usually one of the last areas that makes any kind of changes everywhere else has.. that and no one really cares much about the older buildings.. shoot one building i lived in you still had to kind of had an elevator from like the 50's.. it had one of them hand cranks in them even though it didn't work anymore.. it was scary riding in it.. :| many crosswalks in my city wont even light up to let you cross unless you hit the button.. I thought they would eventually change on their own.. but after several light changes walk symbol never lit..

[@TrumpeterOnFire]

see for me its more 'on the off chance this actually works I'd really appreciate it' rather than not pushing it and it working and me missing out. if it doesnt work I'd rather just not have it be there. if its there I'm gonna push it even if it doesnt work, because if there are some cases where it does work it behooves me to push it.

[@VicPicSuperBird]

What is the background sound. Like if every word of Hank stepped on water.

[@IamKryptonite]

Hold the crosswalk button, on some lights it will influence the timing. I believe it's for the handicapped.

[@TheElnots]

I hit the buttons because it takes a half second and sometimes they work. Doesn't hurt.

[@Rayver112]

The end should've been about the sub and the notification button, missed a great segway there xd

[@SandshrewSamurai]

I have literally never pressed a close door button. do people actually care about those few extra seconds?

[@duydangdroid]

"Do you feel in control?" -Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)