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Science 3 March 1967:
Vol. 155. no. 3766, pp. 1075 - 1080
DOI: 10.1126/science.155.3766.1075
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Articles

Biographical Predictors of Scientific Performance

Calvin W. Taylor 1 and Robert L. Ellison 2

1 University of Utah, Salt Lake City
2 Institute for Behavioral Research in Creativity, Salt Lake City, Utah

The biographical approach to the identification of scientific talent has shown significant results in a variety of situations which included different laboratories, fields of specialization, and age groups. Much remains to be accomplished, however. The biographical approach needs to be validated in other organizational settings employing relevant criteria. Although this kind of research is being initiated, a number of studies are needed to define the advantages and limitations. The use of biographical information to identify the creative and other talents of executives, composers, administrators, and artists has been largely unexplored. Furthermore, the meaning of the biographical items has not been correlated with existing psychological theory and knowledge. All evidence to date indicates that the investigation of biographical information and its relationship to various criteria of performance and other psychological measures is a rapidly expanding area of investigation which will make further contributions to the identification of talent in a variety of fields.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Gifted Child Quarterly 49, 300-314
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Attributes of Excellence in Various Professions: Their Relevance to the Selection of Gifted/Talented Persons.
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Gifted Child Quarterly 27, 99-106
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The Creative Process: A Study of Its Characteristics in R&D Knowledge Production.
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The Relationship of Scientific Creativity in the Biological Sciences to Predoctoral Accomplishments and Experiences.
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Using Biographical Information in Identifying Artistic Talent.
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Improving Predictions of the Adult Creative Achievement of Gifted Girls By Using Autobiographical Information.
E. P. Torrance, C. B. Bruch, and J. A. Morse (1973)
Gifted Child Quarterly 17, 91-95
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Predictors of the Social Environment of Learning.
H. J. Walberg and A. Ahlgren (1970)
American Educational Research Journal 7, 153-167
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Predicting Class Learning An Approach to the Class as a Social System.
H. J. Walberg (1969)
American Educational Research Journal 6, 529-542
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The Achievements of Bright and Average Students.
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Educational and Psychological Measurement 28, 891-899


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