Arts Foster Scientific Success: Avocations of Nobel, National Academy, Royal Society, and Sigma Xi Members

Abstract

Various investigators have proposed that "scientific geniuses" are polymaths. To test this hypothesis, autobiographies, biographies, and obituary notices of Nobel Prize winners in the sciences, members of the Royal Society, and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences were read and adult arts and crafts avocations tabulated. Data were compared with a 1936 avocation survey of Sigma Xi members and a 1982 survey of arts avocations among the U.S. public. Nobel laureates were significantly more likely to engage in arts and crafts avocations than Royal Society and National Academy of Sciences members, who were in turn significantly more likely than Sigma Xi members and the U.S. public. Scientists and their biographers often commented on the utility of their avocations as stimuli for their science. The utility of arts and crafts training for scientists may have important public policy and educational implications in light of the marginalization of these subjects in most curricula.

Dual thinking for scientists

“…Perhaps we should use some of the education techniques from arts to boost adventurous exploration and "learning at the edge of chaos" (Bertschinger andNatschläger 2004, Kleiman 2011)? Certainly the provocative idea that a closer arts-science connection could catalyze breakthrough science (Gurnon et al 2013) is in line with the curious fact that Nobel laureates are more likely to pursue artistic endeavors than are members of the Royal Society and National Academy of Sciences, who are in turn more artistically engaged than the "average" scientist (Root-Bernstein et al 2008). http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol20/iss2/art3/ The idea that mind wandering should be considered part of the scientific method, that we should educate for risk-taking exploration, or that arts may help the sciences, might well meet with skepticism in practice.…”

Teaching originality? Common habits behind creative production in science and arts

“…Perhaps it is not so surprising then that ground-breaking science and arts often go hand in hand? For instance, Nobel laureates are more likely to practice arts than are members of Academies of Sciences, who are in turn more artistically engaged than the average scientist (Root-Bernstein et al 2008). One interpretation of this curious correlation could be that practicing arts makes scientists better (Root-Bernstein et al 2008).…”

“…For instance, Nobel laureates are more likely to practice arts than are members of Academies of Sciences, who are in turn more artistically engaged than the average scientist (Root-Bernstein et al 2008). One interpretation of this curious correlation could be that practicing arts makes scientists better (Root-Bernstein et al 2008). Alternatively, the same skills or personality traits that promote scientific excellence could also stimulate artistic production.…”

Editorial Board Thoughts: Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – STEAM, Creative Abrasion, and the Opportunity in Libraries Today

“…16 In short, "increasing success in science is accompanied by developed ability in other fields such as the fine arts." 17 Rather than isolated in monastic study, "almost all Nobel laureates in the sciences are actively engaged in arts as adults." 18 Perhaps surprisingly, rather than being rewarded by an ever-increasing focus and hyper-specialization, genius in the sciences seems tied to individuals' activity in the arts and crafts.…”

“…Of even more seminal interest, the authors point to a similar connection for adolescents/young adults where Milgram and colleagues 20 found "having at least one persistent and intellectually stimulating hobby is a better predictor of career success in any discipline than IQ, standardized test scores, or grades." 21 …”