Teaching

Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Research Interests

Dr. Simonton does research on a diversity of topics having to do with genius, creativity, leadership, talent, and esthetics. In his investigations, he uses a variety of methods, including mathematical models, computer simulation, and laboratory experiments. Nonetheless, most of his studies are historiometric in that they apply advanced statistics to biographical, historical, and content analytical data about eminent creators and leaders. Using this approach, he has examined (1) the relation between age and achievement, (2) the personality traits and societal context behind presidential leadership, (3) the developmental and career factors underlying scientific creativity, (4) the content analytical attributes of masterworks in music and literature, (5) the determinants of military genius, (6) the factors responsible for multiple discoveries and inventions, and (7) the effects of role models and mentors on personal development - among many other topics. He is on the editorial boards of the Creativity Research Journal, Empirical Studies of the Arts, Review of General Psychology, Political Psychology, Journal of Creative Behavior, Bulletin of Psychology and the Arts, and Korean Journal of Thinking and Problem Solving .