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Introduction: The role of personality in shaping engagement with aesthetics in science has been almost entirely unexplored. Whereas artists and arts settings (e.g., museums) are well-studied from a psychological perspective, the practice of science has often been seen as purely rational or dry. In response, this study presents novel findings on the critical role of scientists' individual differences, which shape their engagement with aesthetics, such as the frequency of their experiences of beauty, wonder, and awe in their scientific work. Methods: Based on a very large and representative four-country study of scientists in the fields of biology and physics (N = 3,092), this study analyzed the associations of Big Five personality traits among scientists with (i) dispositional aesthetics (DPES-awe), (ii) the frequency of aesthetic experiences in scientific work, and (iii) aesthetic sensitivity in science. These survey-weighted OLS regression models included extensive statistical controls for sociodemographic factors. Results: As hypothesized, openness is positively, and neuroticism is negatively linked with dispositional aesthetics, the frequency of aesthetic experiences in scientific work, and aesthetic sensitivity in science. Unexpectedly, agreeableness and conscientiousness (but not extraversion) are highly significant and strong predictors of the three trait and state aesthetic engagement variables. Discussion: The aesthetic engagement and personality framework of this paper is empirically supported and demonstrates the importance of personality types of scientists in the practice of science. The unexpectedly strong association of agreeableness with aesthetic engagement points to the importance of cooperation, collaboration, and communication to maximize scientific creativity.
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INTRODUCTION: The Attentional Fixation on Suicide Experiences Questionnaire (AFSEQ) was developed to measure attentional fixation on suicide, a cognitive process characterized by a preoccupation with suicide as a solution. This study investigated a revised version (AFSEQ-R) and examined differences between those who made a recent suicide attempt and those with suicidal ideation (SI). METHOD: Participants were 57 inpatients who attempted suicide within 14 days of study participation and 57 inpatients who presented with SI but no suicidal behavior within the past year. Analyses examined the internal reliability, multidimensionality, and construct validity of the AFSEQ-R, and whether attentional fixation moderated the correlation between SI and attempt status. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure, and subscale and total scores demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Cognitive Stuckness (and total score) correlated with SI, anxiety, impulsivity, and specific problem-solving deficits, while Cognitive Dysfunction correlated with anxiety and acted as a moderator of the correlation between Stuckness and SI. AFSEQ-R scores did not moderate the relationship between SI and attempt status. CONCLUSION: AFSEQ-R is a psychometrically sound and valid measure of attentional fixation. Attentional fixation on suicide is correlated with SI, and prospective studies are needed to uncover its directional effect on suicidal crises.