The Lifelong Productivity of the Female Research hers in Terman's Genetic Studies of Genius Longitudinal Study

Abstract

An analysis of information collected from historical archives reveals a wealth of data on 30 female researchers who worked in various capacities with Dr. Lewis Terman in conducting his classic longitudinal study. Genetic Studies of Genius (1925), on 1,528 gifted children in California. The published and unpublished papers, memoranda, and research field notes of these researchers, their respective correspondence With Terman and each other, and some contacts with a living member of the research teamn and family members were used for this analysis. Although the information is incomplete on some of the women, most of them appeared to have had satisfying personal lives in addition to productive professional careers. Not only did they each contribute greatly to the actual work of carrying out Terman's research conception, they also represent a continuum of life-long productivity. Personal responsibilities nay have had more to do with their subsequent levels of productivity than societal expectations or conventions.

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