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Science 14 July 1967:
Vol. 157. no. 3785, pp. 160 - 165
DOI: 10.1126/science.157.3785.160
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Articles

Creative Tensions in the Research and Development Climate

Technical achievement of scientists and engineers was high under conditions that seemed antithetical

Donald C. Pelz 1

1 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research

As Andrews and I examined the conditions under which scientists and engineers did effective work, we observed a number of apparent paradoxes. Achievement was high under conditions that seemed inconsistent, including on the one hand sources of stability or confidence (what I have called "security") and on the other hand sources of disruption or intellectual conflict (that is, "challenge"). It appears that, if both are present, the creative tension between them can promote technical achievement.


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