Random number generation in native and foreign languages1

• Published in: Perceptual and motor skills 2004-06, Vol.98 (3), p.1153
• Main Authors: Strenge, Hans, Bohm, Jessica
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cognition & reasoning; Foreign language learning; Numbers
• ISSN: 0031-5125; 1558-688X

The effects of different levels of language proficiency on random number generation were examined in this study. 16 healthy right-handed students (7 women, 9 men; aged 22 to 25 years, M = 23.8, SD = .83) attempted to generate a random sequence of the digits 1 to 9 at pacing frequencies of 1, 1.5, and 2 Hz. Randomization was done in German (native language LI), English (first foreign language L2), and French (second foreign language D). There was a pattern of redundancy and seriation tendencies, increasing with speed of generation for all languages (LI-U). While using L2 and L3, responses slowed and the number of errors committed increased. Further, there was a peculiar pattern of dissociation in nonrandom performance with an increase of habitual counting in ones and a strong reduction of counting in twos. All effects were most pronounced when subjects used U and 2-Hz pacing rates. Slowing and nonrandomness was not correlated with self assessment parameters regarding language proficiency. We suggest that in a task involving number activation in a normative language, lack of proficiency will interfere with random number generation, leading to interruptions and rule breaking, at least when reaching the limits of attentional capacity at higher pacing rates. [PERIODICAL ABSTRACT]