Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Impact of Social Context on Individuals01:21

Impact of Social Context on Individuals

46
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
46
Random Error01:04

Random Error

3.4K
Random or indeterminate errors originate from various uncontrollable variables, such as variations in environmental conditions, instrument imperfections, or the inherent variability of the phenomena being measured. Usually, these errors cannot be predicted, estimated, or characterized because their direction and magnitude often vary in magnitude and direction even during consecutive measurements. As a result, they are difficult to eliminate. However, the aggregate effect of these errors can be...
3.4K
Random and Systematic Errors01:20

Random and Systematic Errors

13.3K
Scientists always try their best to record measurements with the utmost accuracy and precision. However, sometimes errors do occur. These errors can be random or systematic. Random errors are observed due to the inconsistency or fluctuation in the measurement process, or variations in the quantity itself that is being measured. Such errors fluctuate from being greater than or less than the true value in repeated measurements. Consider a scientist measuring the length of an earthworm using a...
13.3K
Randomized Experiments01:13

Randomized Experiments

8.2K
The randomization process involves assigning study participants randomly to experimental or control groups based on their probability of being equally assigned. Randomization is meant to eliminate selection bias and balance known and unknown confounding factors so that the control group is similar to the treatment group as much as possible. A computer program and a random number generator can be used to assign participants to groups in a way that minimizes bias.
Simple randomization
Simple...
8.2K
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

60.0K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
60.0K
Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

41.3K
Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
41.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Narratives in European debate concerning new genomic techniques.

Transgenic research·2024
Same author

The effect of the pandemic on European narratives on smart cities and surveillance.

Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2024
Same author

The role of the working memory storage component in a random-like series generation.

PloS one·2024
Same author

Integration and expression: The complementary functions of self-reflection.

Journal of personality·2022
Same author

The importance of being unearnest: Opportunists and the making of culture.

Journal of personality and social psychology·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2025

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
08:12

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

2.6K

The Effect of Context and Individual Differences in Human-Generated Randomness.

Mikołaj Biesaga1, Szymon Talaga1, Andrzej Nowak1,2

  • 1Robert Zajonc Institute for Social Studies, University of Warsaw.

Cognitive Science
|December 16, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Human ability to generate random sequences is limited, influenced by context and mental fatigue. Individuals with a high need for cognition (NFC) can produce more random-like series.

Keywords:
Algorithmic complexityCognitive motivationIndividual differencesRandom numbers generationRandom series productionWorking memory capacity

More Related Videos

Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees
09:09

Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees

Published on: November 15, 2014

11.1K
The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
06:48

The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior

Published on: January 19, 2019

9.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 9, 2025

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
08:12

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

2.6K
Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees
09:09

Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees

Published on: November 15, 2014

11.1K
The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
06:48

The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior

Published on: January 19, 2019

9.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Algorithmic Information Theory
  • Human Behavior Analysis

Background:

  • Human-generated sequences often deviate from true mathematical randomness.
  • The extent of this deviation and its influencing factors remain under investigation.
  • Algorithmic information theory offers a robust measure for assessing sequence randomness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the variability in human ability to generate random sequences.
  • To examine the impact of contextual factors and mental fatigue on sequence randomness.
  • To explore the relationship between the need for cognition (NFC) and random sequence generation.

Main Methods:

  • Two studies were conducted using a modern measure of randomness based on algorithmic information theory.
  • Study 1 employed a factorial design to test context and mental fatigue effects.
  • Study 2 utilized online research to further examine mental fatigue and the role of NFC.

Main Results:

  • Contextual cues significantly influence the ability to produce random-like series by activating relevant representations.
  • Mental fatigue consistently decreases performance in random sequence generation across both studies.
  • Individuals high in NFC maintained cognitive motivation longer, generating more random series.

Conclusions:

  • Human randomness generation is context-dependent and susceptible to mental fatigue.
  • Optimal interaction between contextual cues and intrinsic constraints facilitates temporary escape from trivial patterns.
  • The need for cognition is a key factor in sustaining motivation for generating random-like sequences.