Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences.
We investigate the number preferences of children and adults when generating random digit sequences. Previous research has shown convincingly that adults prefer smaller numbers when randomly choosing between responses 1-6. We analyse randomisation choices made by both children and adults, considerin...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00019/full |
| _version_ | 1819264150841327616 |
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| author | John Nicholas Towse Tobias eLoetscher Peter eBrugger |
| author_facet | John Nicholas Towse Tobias eLoetscher Peter eBrugger |
| author_sort | John Nicholas Towse |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We investigate the number preferences of children and adults when generating random digit sequences. Previous research has shown convincingly that adults prefer smaller numbers when randomly choosing between responses 1-6. We analyse randomisation choices made by both children and adults, considering a range of experimental studies and task configurations. Children – most of whom are between 8 and 11 years- show a preference for relatively large numbers when choosing numbers 1-10. Adults show a preference for small numbers with the same response set. We report a modest association between children’s age and numerical bias. However, children also exhibit a small number bias with a smaller response set available, and they show a preference specifically for the numbers 1-3 across many datasets. We argue that number space demonstrates both continuities (numbers 1-3 have a distinct status) and change (a developmentally emerging bias towards the left side of representational space or lower numbers). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T20:24:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9aa2984f5a74ab8a9f0faeec44f36c6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T20:24:55Z |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9aa2984f5a74ab8a9f0faeec44f36c62022-12-21T17:32:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782014-01-01510.3389/fpsyg.2014.0001967792Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences.John Nicholas Towse0Tobias eLoetscher1Peter eBrugger2Lancaster UniversityFlinders UniversityUniversity Hospital ZurichWe investigate the number preferences of children and adults when generating random digit sequences. Previous research has shown convincingly that adults prefer smaller numbers when randomly choosing between responses 1-6. We analyse randomisation choices made by both children and adults, considering a range of experimental studies and task configurations. Children – most of whom are between 8 and 11 years- show a preference for relatively large numbers when choosing numbers 1-10. Adults show a preference for small numbers with the same response set. We report a modest association between children’s age and numerical bias. However, children also exhibit a small number bias with a smaller response set available, and they show a preference specifically for the numbers 1-3 across many datasets. We argue that number space demonstrates both continuities (numbers 1-3 have a distinct status) and change (a developmentally emerging bias towards the left side of representational space or lower numbers).http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00019/fullspatial cognitioncognitive developmentNumerical cognitionrandom generationnumber preferences |
| spellingShingle | John Nicholas Towse Tobias eLoetscher Peter eBrugger Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. Frontiers in Psychology spatial cognition cognitive development Numerical cognition random generation number preferences |
| title | Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. |
| title_full | Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. |
| title_fullStr | Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. |
| title_short | Not all numbers are equal: preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences. |
| title_sort | not all numbers are equal preferences and biases among children and adults when generating random sequences |
| topic | spatial cognition cognitive development Numerical cognition random generation number preferences |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00019/full |
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