Handbook of the Psychology of Science by Gorman Michael E. Feist Gregory J

Author:Gorman, Michael E.,Feist, Gregory J.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
Published: 2013-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

Career Trajectories

Because scientists communicate their ideas largely through journal articles, it becomes natural to ask how these articles are distributed over the course of their careers. At what age does productivity begin, when does it peak, and when does output cease? It turns out that the relation between age and creative output is the oldest research topic in the behavioral sciences. The first empirical study of the subject was published in 1835 (Quételet, 1835/1968). Although this particular investigation was devoted to creative productivity in drama, the basic results have replicated multiple times in studies of scientific creators (e.g., Cole, 1979; Davis, 1987; Dennis, 1956, 1966; Horner, Rushton, & Vernon, 1986; Lehman, 1960; Simonton, 1985; Zuckerman, 1977). To be specific, productivity tends to begin about the early or mid-20s and then increase fairly rapidly to a peak somewhere in the late 30s or early 40s, and thereafter a gradual decline sets in, albeit the output rate in the 60s remains higher than at the beginning of the career. Hence, the overall curve is decidedly skewed, the career peak appearing about 10 to 20 years after the career onset. Although this longitudinal curve has been well established, the generalization must also be qualified various ways. These qualifications entail differential impact, interdisciplinary contrasts, and individual differences.

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