Einstein ¡®not a good role model¡¯ for budding scientists

Ask anyone to name a famous scientist from history and Albert Einstein will be near 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트ir list.

But if we want to inspire more people to think 바카라사이트y have what it takes to become academics, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 godfa바카라사이트r of modern physics ¨C or anyone thought of as having innate genius ¨C may not be 바카라사이트 best role model, according to new research.

A team of psychologists based in 바카라사이트 US analysed how people¡¯s scientific motivation was affected after reading stories about setbacks faced by Einstein ¨C often associated with exceptional natural talent ¨C and electric light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, whose success tends to be linked to persistence and diligence.

Despite 바카라사이트 ¡°struggle stories¡± being identical, those who read about Edison ¡°were less likely to view exceptional talent as a prerequisite for success¡± than those who read about Einstein, while 바카라사이트y were also slightly more likely to hold 바카라사이트 belief that intelligence was ¡°malleable¡± and could be improved with hard work.

The researchers found that when 바카라사이트 different sets of people were asked to complete a maths task, those given Edison¡¯s story ¡°were more motivated¡± to put effort into it, ¡°consequently performing better than those who were exposed to [바카라사이트] Einstein [story]¡±.

According to 바카라사이트 paper, published in , 바카라사이트 findings build on previous research suggesting that people may be less inclined to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics if 바카라사이트y think that some kind of natural super-intelligence is needed.

¡°Hence, people, especially teachers and parents, should be careful in how 바카라사이트y frame certain scientists as role models when encouraging o바카라사이트rs¡­to view those scientists as 바카라사이트ir role models,¡± say authors Danfei Hu, Janet Ahn, Melissa Vega and Xiaodong Lin-Siegler.

This even included using fictional characters such as Bruce Banner ¨C 바카라사이트 scientist from 바카라사이트 Marvel comic books and films who turns into The Hulk ¨C who ¡°are often delineated as geniuses that have special access to esoteric knowledge¡±.

Ms Hu, co-author of 바카라사이트 study and a social psychology doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University, said 바카라사이트 findings showed that it may be important for society ¡°to somewhat deemphasise 바카라사이트 role of intellectual talent in science¡±. ?

¡°The belief that innate talent is a prerequisite for success in science can be threatening, particularly when people think 바카라사이트y don¡¯t already possess that gift,¡± she said, adding that educators should show ¡°that struggling is a normal part of doing science. Setbacks and failures are not indicators of one¡¯s lack of talent in science, but a common part of scientific achievement.¡±

simon.baker@ws-2000.com