TY - JOUR

T1 - Random generation of numbers

T2 - a search for underlying processes

AU - Towse, John N.

AU - Valentine, John D.

PY - 1997

Y1 - 1997

N2 - To explicate the mechanisms which support attempts at random number production, two experiments explore the role of memory systems in random sequencing. In the first, subjects produced written random number sequences with two response vocabularies, and subjects were also required to estimate how often they had chosen particular values in their response set. Memory for responses was found to correlate with the quality of random generation, and sequences were less random with a larger response repertoire. However, memory performance did not account for the effect of response set size, suggesting different aetiologies for these effects. In a second experiment, subjects were given a concurrent memory load during random generation, and a concurrent task requiring avoidance of certain response values. Performance declined under dual-task conditions, and the avoidance requirement particularly impaired subjects' ability to inhibit prepotent responses. Findings are integrated into a view of random generation as a complex task with multiple performance constraints.

AB - To explicate the mechanisms which support attempts at random number production, two experiments explore the role of memory systems in random sequencing. In the first, subjects produced written random number sequences with two response vocabularies, and subjects were also required to estimate how often they had chosen particular values in their response set. Memory for responses was found to correlate with the quality of random generation, and sequences were less random with a larger response repertoire. However, memory performance did not account for the effect of response set size, suggesting different aetiologies for these effects. In a second experiment, subjects were given a concurrent memory load during random generation, and a concurrent task requiring avoidance of certain response values. Performance declined under dual-task conditions, and the avoidance requirement particularly impaired subjects' ability to inhibit prepotent responses. Findings are integrated into a view of random generation as a complex task with multiple performance constraints.

U2 - 10.1080/713752566

DO - 10.1080/713752566

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:0000808312

VL - 9

SP - 381

EP - 400

JO - European Journal of Cognitive Psychology

JF - European Journal of Cognitive Psychology

SN - 0954-1446

IS - 4

ER -