To register arousal she used the desynchronization of alpha waves, a standard neurobiological measure. In general, the more the alpha waves are desynchronized, the greater the psychological arousal subjectively reported by subjects. Smets made a suprising discovery. This is the equivalent amount of order found variously in a simple maze, in two complete terms of an algorithmic spiral, or in a cross with asymmetrical arms. The 20 percent redundancy effect appears to be innate.
Newborn infants gaze longest at drawings with about the same amount of order.