scholarly journals RandseqR: An R Package for Describing Performance on the Random Number Generation Task

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Oomens ◽  
Joseph H. R. Maes ◽  
Fred Hasselman ◽  
Jos I. M. Egger
Keyword(s):  
Random Number ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
R Package ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Executive Behavior ◽  
Number Sequences ◽  
Quantification Analysis ◽  
Current Article

The Random Number Generation (RNG) task has a long history in neuropsychology as an assessment procedure for executive functioning. In recent years, understanding of human (executive) behavior has gradually changed from reflecting a static to a dynamic process and this shift in thinking about behavior gives a new angle to interpret test results. However, this shift also asks for different methods to process random number sequences. The RNG task is suited for applying non-linear methods needed to uncover the underlying dynamics of random number generation. In the current article we present RandseqR: an R-package that combines the calculation of classic randomization measures and Recurrence Quantification Analysis. RandseqR is an easy to use, flexible and fast way to process random number sequences and readies the RNG task for current scientific and clinical use.

Influence of Gaze Observation on Random Number Generation

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Grade ◽  
Nathalie Lefèvre ◽  
Mauro Pesenti
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Random Number ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Color Changes ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Number Magnitude ◽  
Large Numbers

Recent findings suggest that number processing is intimately linked to space and attention orienting processes. For example, processing numbers induces shifts of spatial attention, with small numbers causing leftward shifts and large numbers causing rightward shifts, suggesting that number magnitude might be represented on a left-to-right mental number line. However, whether inducing spatial attention shifts would in turn influence number production, and whether such influence, if observed, would be restricted to the left-to-right orientation or would extend to an up-to-down orientation in space, remains a matter of debate. The present study assessed whether observing gaze movements, known to moderate spatial attention, was able to influence a random number generation task, and how different directions of the gaze moderated this influence. Participants were asked to randomly produce a number between 1 and 10 after they observed either a horizontal or a vertical eye gaze, or after they observed color changes as a control condition. The results revealed that number production was influenced by the prior presentation of specific gaze changes. Observing leftward or downward gaze led participants to produce more small than large numbers, whereas observing gaze oriented rightward and upward or observing color changes did not influence the magnitude of the numbers produced. These results show that the characteristics of the observed gaze changes primed number magnitude, but that this only held true for some movements, and these were not restricted to the left-to-right axis.

Stroop-Type Interference in Random-Number Generation

1995 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Brugger ◽  
Sabine Pietzsch ◽  
Gabriele Weidmann ◽  
Peter Biro ◽  
Eli Alon
Keyword(s):  
Random Number ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
Naming Task ◽  
Color Naming ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Random Behavior ◽  
Repetition Avoidance

We describe a positive correlation between the extent of sequential counting in a random-number generation task and the magnitude of the interference effect in Stroop's color-naming task. This finding is compatible with the view that both counting and reading are highly automatized processes which constitute an inevitable source of interference in randomization and Stroop paradigms, respectively. On the other hand, cognitive psychological theories proposing that a generally biased concept of randomness would be responsible for human subjects' inability to generate true random sequences do not readily account for this correlation. Literature on repetition avoidance indicates this universal effect in random generation is likewise not explainable in terms of some “biased concept of randomness.” Repetition avoidance (“spontaneous alternation”) also occurs in lower invertebrates, is largely independent of mathematical sophistication in humans, dissipates with increasing time between consecutive responses, and is diminished by amnesia. We conclude that the failure of functionally intact organisms to display random behavior is due to basic neuropsychological limitations. In neglecting these biological foundations, “concept of randomness” theories of randomization behavior lack explanatory value.

scholarly journals A cognitive fingerprint in human random number generation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Schulz ◽  
Sebastian Baier ◽  
Benjamin Timmermann ◽  
Danilo Bzdok ◽  
Karsten Witt
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Random Number ◽  
Edit Distance ◽  
Individual Preference ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
Random Generation ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Number Sequences ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractIs the cognitive process of random number generation implemented via person-specific strategies corresponding to highly individual random generation behaviour? We examined random number sequences of 115 healthy participants and developed a method to quantify the similarity between two number sequences on the basis of Damerau and Levenshtein’s edit distance. “Same-author” and “different author” sequence pairs could be distinguished (96.5% AUC) based on 300 pseudo-random digits alone. We show that this phenomenon is driven by individual preference and inhibition of patterns and stays constant over a period of 1 week, forming a cognitive fingerprint.

scholarly journals Cognitive Processing dissociation by mental effort manipulation in long demanding tasks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Vinicius Alves ◽  
Susanny Tassini ◽  
Felipe Aedo-Jury ◽  
Orlando F. A. Bueno
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Random Number ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Mental Effort ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Number Generation

AbstractIndividuals uses cognitive resources to modulate performance in demanding tasks and a non-invasive and reliable way of measuring mental effort is pupillometry. This study aimed to test the mental effort related to different processing systems in long tasks with controlled and automatic demands. We conducted two experiments with healthy subjects: in Experiment 1 (n=15), using a metronome to ensure control on task pace, participants performed a serial number generation task (Counting; little to no effort tasks), a random number generation (RNG; effortful tasks), and no task (Unfilled interval; no effort at all). In experiment 2, (n=15) participants performed counting tasks with or without additional intermediary beeps produced by a metronome to assess the effect of a possible increase in effort demanded by the distractors. Experiment 1 showed differences between unfilled interval, counting and RNG. Experiment 2 showed that the intermediate beep made the counting tasks more demanding than the normal counting tasks. Notable in both experiments was the tendency of participants to demand mental effort at the beginning of the trial. These results indicate that previously effortless automatic tasks can become controlled, or at least more demanding, with a simple experimental manipulation. They also reveal that tasks that require mental effort over a long period will demand more than automatic ones, but even so the peak of this demand is in the initial trial period. Moreover, they reveal the high sensitivity of pupillometry for the measurement of mental effort employing different processing systems and cognitive resource modulation.

Working Memory Control in Patients With Schizophrenia: A PET Study During a Random Number Generation Task

2000 ◽  
Vol 157 (9) ◽  
pp. 1517-1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Artiges ◽  
Pierre Salamé ◽  
Christophe Recasens ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Poline ◽  
Dominique Attar-Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Random Number ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Memory Control

scholarly journals INCREMENTAL EVOLUTION OF CELLULAR AUTOMATA FOR RANDOM NUMBER GENERATION

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (07) ◽  
pp. 881-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHENG-UEI GUAN ◽  
SHU ZHANG
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Automata ◽  
Random Number ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Random Number Generation ◽  
Number Generation ◽  
Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Incremental Evolution ◽  
Number Sequences ◽  
Output Efficiency ◽  
Pseudorandom Number Generation

Cellular automata (CA) have been used in pseudorandom number generation for over a decade. Recent studies show that controllable CA (CCA) can generate better random sequences than conventional one-dimensional (1D) CA and compete with two-dimensional (2D) CA. Yet the structural complexity of CCA is higher than that of 1D programmable cellular automata (PCA). It would be good if CCA can attain a good randomness quality with the least structural complexity. In this paper, we evolve PCA/CCA to their lowest complexity level using genetic algorithms (GAs). Meanwhile, the randomness quality and output efficiency of PCA/CCA are also evolved. The evolution process involves two algorithms — a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and an algorithm for incremental evolution. A set of PCA/CCA are evolved and compared in randomness, complexity, and efficiency. The results show that without any spacing, the CCA could generate good random number sequences that could pass DIEHARD. To obtain the same randomness quality, the structural complexity of the CCA is not higher than that of 1D CA. Furthermore, the methodology developed could be used to evolve other CA or serve as a yardstick to compare different types of CA.

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