Higher Distractibility Predicts Slightly Lower Scaredness for Population
Contents

Variables

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Distractibility 47
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Scaredness 1066

Categories

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Symptoms 13336
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Emotions 2028

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Your Data

Tags

Low Confidence
Very Weak Effect Size
Negative Relationship
Population Study
cause image gauge image effect image
Participants reported a 10.9% average decrease in Scaredness following above average Distractibility.
Abstract

Abstract

Scaredness was generally 6.2% lower than average after 3.22 out of 5 of Distractibility per 7 days.

Aggregated data from 1 study participants suggests with a LOW degree of confidence (p=0.307, 95% CI -0.561 to 0.181) that Distractibility has a weakly negative predictive relationship (R=-0.19) with Scaredness.

The highest quartile of Scaredness measurements were observed following an average 2.62 out of 5 Distractibility.

The lowest quartile of Scaredness measurements were observed following an average 3.07 out of 5 of Distractibility.

After an onset delay of 0 seconds, Scaredness is typically 3% lower than average over the 7 days following around 3.07 out of 5 Distractibility.

Objective

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the nature of the relationship (if any) between Distractibility and Scaredness. Additionally, we attempt to determine the Distractibility values most likely to produce optimal Scaredness values.
Participant Instructions

Participant Instructions

Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for Distractibility here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .


Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for Scaredness here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .

Design

Design

This study is based on data donated by 1 participants. Thus, the study design is equivalent to the aggregation of 1 separate n=1 observational natural experiments.

Data Analysis

Data Analysis

Distractibility Pre-Processing

Distractibility measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. Distractibility measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Distractibility so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Scaredness Pre-Processing

Scaredness measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. Scaredness measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Scaredness so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Predictive Analytics

It was assumed that 0 seconds would pass before a change in Distractibility would produce an observable change in Scaredness.

It was assumed that Distractibility could produce an observable change in Scaredness for as much as 7 days after the stimulus event.

Statistical Significance

Statistical Significance

Using a two-tailed t-test with alpha = 0.05, it was determined that the change in Scaredness is not statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. This suggests that the Distractibility value does not have a significant influence on the Scaredness value.

After treatment, a 10.9% decrease (-0.158 out of 5) from the mean baseline 2.54 out of 5 was observed. The relative standard deviation at baseline was 25.5%. The observed change was 0.24442 times the standard deviation.

A common rule of thumb considers a change greater than twice the baseline standard deviation on two separate pre-post experiments may be considered significant. This occurrence would have only a 5% likelihood of resulting from random fluctuation (a p-value < 0.05).

Data Sources

Data Sources

Distractibility data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Scaredness data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Limitations

Limitations

As with any human experiment, it was impossible to control for all potentially confounding variables. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. We can never know for sure if one factor is definitely the cause of an outcome. However, lack of correlation definitely implies the lack of a causal relationship. Hence, we can with great confidence rule out non-existent relationships. For instance, if we discover no relationship between mood and an antidepressant this information is just as or even more valuable than the discovery that there is a relationship.

We can also take advantage of several characteristics of time series data from many subjects to infer the likelihood of a causal relationship if we do find a correlational relationship. The criteria for causation are a group of minimal conditions necessary to provide adequate evidence of a causal relationship between an incidence and a possible consequence.

Criteria For Causal Inference

Strength (A.K.A. Effect Size)

A small association does not mean that there is not a causal effect, though the larger the association, the more likely that it is causal. There is a weakly negative (R = -0.19) relationship between Distractibility and Scaredness.

Consistency (A.K.A. Reproducibility)

Consistent findings observed by different persons in different places with different samples strengthens the likelihood of an effect. Furthermore, in accordance with the law of large numbers (LLN), the predictive power and accuracy of these results will continually grow over time. 30 paired data points were used in this analysis. Assuming that the relationship is merely coincidental, as the participant independently modifies their Distractibility values, the observed strength of the relationship will decline until it is below the threshold of significance. To it another way, in the case that we do find a spurious correlation, suggesting that banana intake improves mood for instance, one will likely increase their banana intake. Due to the fact that this correlation is spurious, it is unlikely that you will see a continued and persistent corresponding increase in mood. So over time, the spurious correlation will naturally dissipate.

Specificity

Causation is likely if a very specific population at a specific site and disease with no other likely explanation. The more specific an association between a factor and an effect is, the bigger the probability of a causal relationship.

Temporality

The effect has to occur after the cause (and if there is an expected delay between the cause and expected effect, then the effect must occur after that delay). The confidence in a causal relationship is bolstered by the fact that time-precedence was taken into account in all calculations.

Biological Gradient

Greater exposure should generally lead to greater incidence of the effect. However, in some cases, the mere presence of the factor can trigger the effect. In other cases, an inverse proportion is observed: greater exposure leads to lower incidence.

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel.

Based on our responses so far,

0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action for a relationship between Distractibility and Scaredness.

0 humans feel that any relationship observed between Distractibility and Scaredness is coincidental.

Coherence

Coherence between epidemiological and laboratory findings increases the likelihood of an effect. It will be very enlightening to aggregate this data with the data from other participants with similar genetic, diseasomic, environmentomic, and demographic profiles.

Experiment

All of human life can be considered a natural experiment. Occasionally, it is possible to appeal to experimental evidence.

Analogy

The effect of similar factors may be considered.

Plausibility

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel. Based on our responses so far, 0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action and 0 feel that any relationship observed between Distractibility and Scaredness is coincidental.

Relationship Statistics

Property Value
Cause Variable Name Distractibility
Effect Variable Name Scaredness
Sinn Predictive Coefficient 0.018080890346282
Confidence Level LOW
Confidence Interval 0.37082358019614
Forward Pearson Predictive Coefficient -0.19
Critical T Value 1.697
Average Distractibility Over Previous 7 days Before ABOVE Average Scaredness 2.62 out of 5
Average Distractibility Over Previous 7 days Before BELOW Average Scaredness 3.07 out of 5
Duration of Action 7 days
Effect Size weakly negative
Number of Paired Measurements 30
Optimal Pearson Product 0.086474430149938
P Value 0.30695209181668
Statistical Significance 0.2679
Strength of Relationship 0.37082358019614
Study Type population
Analysis Performed At 2021-08-30
Number of Participants 1

Distractibility Info

Property Value
Variable Name Distractibility
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-10-09
Duration of Action 24 hours
Kurtosis 2.1325237802508
Maximum Allowed Value 5 out of 5
Mean 2.7094 out of 5
Median 2.6666666666667 out of 5
Minimum Allowed Value 1 out of 5
Number of Aggregate Predictors 31
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 16
Number of Measurements 89
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 89
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.59083965096786
Unit 1 to 5 Rating
User Variables 3
UPC 0
Variable Category Symptoms
Variable ID 5744381
Variance 0.52835232668566

Scaredness Info

Property Value
Variable Name Scaredness
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-15
Duration of Action 24 hours
Kurtosis 3.0976747415301
Maximum Allowed Value 5 out of 5
Mean 2.1651484189506 out of 5
Median 2.1146016963526 out of 5
Minimum Allowed Value 1 out of 5
Number of Aggregate Predictors 964
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 102
Number of Measurements 19595
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 19551
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.45133124256218
Unit 1 to 5 Rating
User Variables 1274
Variable Category Emotions
Variable ID 1441
Variance 0.50935659130322

Principal Investigator

Cite This Study

APA Format
Sinn, M. P. (2026). Higher Distractibility Predicts Slightly Lower Scaredness for Population. The Journal of Citizen Science. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5744381-effect-1441-population-study
BibTeX
@misc{sinn_cause_5744381_effect_1441_population_study_2026,
  author = {Sinn, Mike P.},
  title = {Higher Distractibility Predicts Slightly Lower Scaredness for Population},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {The Journal of Citizen Science},
  url = {https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5744381-effect-1441-population-study},
  note = {Accessed: January 3, 2026}
}
Chicago/Turabian
Sinn, Mike P. "Higher Distractibility Predicts Slightly Lower Scaredness for Population." The Journal of Citizen Science. Accessed January 3, 2026. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5744381-effect-1441-population-study.