Geomagnetic field influences probabilistic abstract decision-making in humans

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the Earth's magnetic field influences human probabilistic decision-making, revealing a novel sensory mechanism affecting choices in abstract tasks like the game of Go.

Contribution

It uncovers the role of geomagnetic fields in modulating human decision-making and identifies magnetic resonance as a key underlying mechanism.

Findings

Empirical probabilities differ from theoretical in Go matches.

GMF conditions significantly influence decision-making.

Magnetic resonance frequency modulates choices.

Abstract

To resolve disputes or determine the order of things, people commonly use binary choices such as tossing a coin, even though it is obscure whether the empirical probability equals to the theoretical probability. The geomagnetic field (GMF) is broadly applied as a sensory cue for various movements in many organisms including humans, although our understanding is limited. Here we reveal a GMF-modulated probabilistic abstract decision-making in humans and the underlying mechanism, exploiting the zero-sum binary stone choice of Go game as a proof-of-principle. The large-scale data analyses of professional Go matches and in situ stone choice games showed that the empirical probabilities of the stone selections were remarkably different from the theoretical probability. In laboratory experiments, experimental probability in the decision-making was significantly influenced by GMF conditions and specific magnetic resonance frequency. Time series and stepwise systematic analyses pinpointed the intentionally uncontrollable decision-making as a primary modulating target. Notably, the continuum of GMF lines and anisotropic magnetic interplay between players were crucial to influence the magnetic field resonance-mediated abstract decision-making. Our findings provide unique insights into the impact of sensing GMF in decision-makings at tipping points and the quantum mechanical mechanism for manifesting the gap between theoretical and empirical probability in 3-dimensional living space.