Why do people push the elevator button multiple times? Do they really think it will go faster?

Question

Same thing with those pedestrian signals at intersections.

Answer 1

BF Skinner showed with his Skinner Box how Operant Conditioning works with simple animals: given a voluntary behavior (pushing a button), the animal will repeat the behavior if it is rewarded (given a food pellet or other reinforcer). It is possible to get the simple animals pushing the button repeatedly if the reward is doled out on at least seemingly random intervals, but with enough payoff to continue reinforcing the button pushing behavior.

That said, either these humans are simple animals or they find annoying you with repeated button pushing enjoyable.

;-)

Answer 2

We all know its not gonna make it faster it just enticing to push the buttons. Or maybe its nerves for some people to be crowded in with people so push the button like you have a purpose..I guess

Answer 3

Get real! Pushing that button over and over pumps air at very high pressure in the same direction the elevator is going and does make it go faster. I cannot! believe you didn't know that...sheesh.

Answer 4

well if you push the buttons enough times a food pellet may come out too lol just joshing i really don't think it will go faster most people just push buttons to irritate others.

Answer 5

I hold my hand high and say "I do that"..... I also press the remote buttons harder when the batteries are low, and I keep going to the same empty cupboard during the day to see if the magic shopping fairies have filled it with goodies whilst I wasn't looking!

It is human nature... It doesn't work but we all live in hopes!

Answer 6

Lol - I often think the same thing. Perhaps they are frustrated.

Maybe they hope that someday, someone will come out with such a button. It better be very, very strong, because everyone will hit it dozens of times!

Answer 7

It is not a thoughtful action it stems from frustration and impatience. It more likely displacement activity. (i.e. like a male dog pawing the fground instead of attacking a rioval suitor).
It is also something to "do" while waiting for something we want and cannot speed up the delivery.

Answer 8

Just venting frustration, not a signal that the machines will move faster.

Answer 9

Wait! You mean it doesn't go faster?

Those buttons are like little kids. You have tell them six times before they hear you. ;)

Answer 10

I think maybe they do think it'll go faster or they're just bored...I guess it's their "nature" to do that like since alot of people do that, then they just do it. For example, people start biting their pencils and erasers just for no reason.