Stroebe, W. 2010. The Graying of Academia Will It Reduce Scientific Productivity?. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST 65 (7): 660-673

[Eugene Garfield]

Stroebe, W. 2010. The Graying of Academia Will It Reduce Scientific 
Productivity?. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST 65 (7): 660-673.

Author Full Name(s): Stroebe, Wolfgang
Language: English
Document Type: Article

Author Keywords: academic productivity; scientific achievement; age 
discrimination; creative potential
KeyWords Plus: CUM LAUDE DOCTORATES; BIBLIOMETRIC INDICATORS; 
MANDATORY RETIREMENT; BRAINSTORMING GROUPS; FACULTY RETIREMENT; 
AGE; IMPACT; PSYCHOLOGISTS; PERSONALITY; PERFORMANCE

Abstract: The belief that science is a young person's game and that only young 
scientists can be productive and publish high-quality research is still widely 
shared by university administrators and members of the scientific community. 
Since the average age of university faculties is increasing not only in the 
United States but also in Europe, the question arises as to whether this belief 
is correct. If it were valid, the abolition of compulsory retirement in the United 
States and some parts of Canada would lower the productivity of these 
university systems. To address this question, this article reviews research on 
the association of age and scientific productivity conducted during the last four 
decades in North America and Europe. Whereas early research typically showed 
a decline in productivity after the ages of 40 to 45 years, this decline has been 
absent in more recent studies. Explanations for this change are discussed.

Addresses: Univ Utrecht, Dept Social & Org Psychol, NL-3508 TC Utrecht, 
Netherlands

Reprint Address: Stroebe, W, Univ Utrecht, Dept Social & Org Psychol, POB 80-
140, NL-3508 TC Utrecht, Netherlands.

E-mail Address: w.stroebe at uu.nl
ISSN: 0003-066X
DOI: 10.1037/a0021086
URL (not open access): http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/65/7/660/