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Journal Article
Age Dynamics in Scientific Creativity
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Author(s)
Data on Nobel Laureates show that the age-creativity relationship varies substantially
more over time than across fields. The age dynamics within fields closely mirror field specific shifts in (i) training patterns and (ii) the prevalence of theoretical contributions. These dynamics are especially pronounced in physics and coincide with the emergence of quantum mechanics. Taken together, these findings demonstrate fundamental shifts in the life-cycle of research productivity, inform theories of the age-creativity relationship, and provide observable predictors for the age at which great achievements are made.
Date Published:
2011
Citations:
Jones, Benjamin F., Bruce Weinberg. 2011. Age Dynamics in Scientific Creativity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (47)18855-19096.