Top Scientific Work Correlated with Serious Arts and Crafts Engagement

March 25, 2013

Scientific success is significantly correlated with visual modes of thinking, artistic and musical hobbies, and a range of other non-scientific life experiences and behavioral patterns, according to an analysis of data collected on top research scientists by MSU researchers Robert S. Root-Bernstein, Maurine Bernstein, and Helen Garnier.  In  “Correlations Between Avocations, Scientific Style, Work Habits, and Professional Impact of Scientists,” the authors find that the most “successful scientists have highly integrated networks of enterprise, whereas less successful colleagues tend to have fewer nonscientific activities that they do not integrate.”