Temperamental Factors and the Structure of Motivation for Scientific Activity

What is the relationship between the motivation system of research workers (the main motives for scientific work) and temperament? The answer to the question was sought using a hierarchical factor analysis of scores on the Researcher's Work Inventory of Kocowski and the Strelau Temperament Inventory (STI) of a sample of young scientific workers. One secondary and three primary factors were obtained. The secondary factor was identified as self‐actualization or power motivation. This was a composite of intrinsic cognitive or achievement motivation (primary factor I), and will or conscientiousness (primary factor II). The factor will or conscientiousness was positively connected with mobility and strength of excitation (STI scales). A strong nervous system seems to be necessary for successful scientific work combining efficiency and creativity.