Buttons became shams for at least part of the day.
These buttons might be a little frustrating, but it's hard not to push them.
And the lie isn't all bad.
In a small way, these placebos might even make you feel better.
It comes down to something psychologists call perceived control.
Perceived control is how much control you think you have over a situation.
Sometimes your estimate is about right, or sometimes it's more or less than what you actually have.
But in general, studies suggest that thinking you have some control in life is a really big deal for physical and mental health.
Nursing home residents, for example, have been found to be happier, more active, and more alert when they're encouraged to make their own choices.
Employees are happier, healthier, and less likely to quit when they feel that they have some control over their schedules and job duties.
