I am Associate Professor of Psychology in Personality and Adult Development and Director of the Experimental Graduate Program in Psychology at San Jose State University. I have also taught at the College of William & Mary and the University of California at Davis. I received my PhD in 1991 from the University of California at Berkeley and my undergraduate degree in 1985 from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. For more information, see http://www.gjfeist.net

I conduct research on the psychology of psychology of science, psychology of creativity and the development of scientific talent. Recently, my graduate students and I have examined gender and science, mental health and science, and personality and creativity in science. But my major focus is this society (ISPST), peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Psychology of Science and Technology), and graduate training, all of which are aimed at establishing the psychology of science as a healthy and independent study of science, along the lines of the history, philosophy, and sociology of science. My other major efforts toward this end is a book entitled Psychology of Science and the Origins of the Scientific Mind (2006, Yale University Press), which was awarded the 2007 William James Book Prize by the Division of General Psychology, American Psychological Association (APA).

A second major focus of my research is the identification and development of scientific talent, as seen in finalists of the Westinghouse and Intel Science Talent Search. My paper (co-authored with Frank Barron) “Predicting creativity from early to late adulthood: Intellect, potential, and personality” won Article of Year for 2003 in Journal of Research in Personality.

My research in creativity has been recognized by an Early Career Award from the Division for Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts (Division 10) of American Psychological Association (APA). I am Past-President of APA’s Division 10, and serve on the Editorial Boards of Review of General Psychology, and Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts.

I also really enjoy teaching and my teaching efforts have been recognized by outstanding teaching awards at both UC Berkeley and UC Davis. Finally, I am also co-author of the textbook Theories of Personality (McGraw-Hill) as well as Psychology: Making Connections (McGraw-Hill).

As founding president of ISPST, I have to say this: Our society is still small but has very much potential to grow. So if you haven't already joined, I encourage you to give us a try. I think you will find a vibrant community of scholars interested in psychological factors behind scientific and technological thinking, interest, creativity, and behavior. See the Membership and Community menu.

Hi Greg, it's nice to learn more about the ISPST as well as your background.

This is an interesting area of study. I was particularly curious about the following.

GJFeist wrote:A second major focus of my research is the identification and development of scientific talent, as seen in finalists of the Westinghouse and Intel Science Talent Search. My paper (co-authored with Frank Barron) “Predicting creativity from early to late adulthood: Intellect, potential, and personality” won Article of Year for 2003 in Journal of Research in Personality.

I've been managing people for the past 8 years or so, and identifying and developing talent is a key part to my job.

Thanks for posting your introduction, and I hope you find this forum a great place to share thoughts and ideas with the ISPST community.

Eric,
I could send you a paper or two if you'd like. It's not so much from a business I/O perspective, but you might still find them useful.
~Greg Feist

That would be interesting, I would appreciate that. It may not be written from a business perspective, but someone like myself that is looking for insight on a business challenge might see different opportunities. I'm always looking at different areas and trying to apply them to what I do. Thanks...