The Psychology of
Science and the
Origins of the
Scientific Mind
Yale University Press

Winner, William James Book Prize, Division of General Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2007

"Feist argues convincingly for an integrated study of the psychology of science. The writing is entertaining and compelling. The book should be of interest to every psychologist and a very wide audience of educated laypersons" (Prize Committee)

Curriculum Vitae

Gregory J. Feist is Assistant Professor of Psychology in Adult Development at San Jose State University. He has held previous faculty positions at University of California at Davis and the College of William & Mary. He received his Ph.D. in Personality Psychology in 1991 from the University of California at Berkeley and his undergraduate degree in 1985 from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is widely published in the psychology of creativity, the psychology of science, and the development of scientific talent. One major focus of his is establishing the psychology of science as a healthy and independent study of science, along the lines of the philosophy, and sociology of science. His major effort toward this end is the publication of his recent book entitled Psychology of Science and the Origins of the Scientific Mind (2006) published by Yale University Press. In addition, he is the founding President of the International Society for the Psychology of Science & Technology (ISPST) and founding editor of the society's new peer-review journal, Journal of Psychology of Science & Technology. A second major focus is the identification and development of scientific talent, as seen in finalists of the Westinghouse and Intel Science Talent Search. Feist currently serves on the Advisory Board to a documentary film being made on the Intel Science Talent Search “Whiz Kids."

His 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. His 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). Feist is currently Past-President of Division 10 of APA and Vice-President of the Society for Applied Psychological Research in the Performing Arts (SAPRPA). He is or has been on the Editorial Boards of Review of General Psychology, Journal of Research in Personality, and Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts.