The Heartbeat of Research: Emotions in Science

I come from Colombia, a country where people say that our blood runs fervently through our veins. A popular saying that captures the Latin American experience where emotions are represented in a vivid and fantastical manner, like the magical realism found in Gabriel García Márquez's masterpiece "One Hundred Years of Solitude".

Although this popular saying may sound exaggerated, it speaks to our profound connection with emotions in every facet of our lives. While some may perceive this as overly sentimental or a gate to vulnerability, for me as a scientist, it fuels my empathy, enhances my awareness about the world, and drives me to initiate a dialogue that recognizes the importance of emotions in science.

Here, I invite the CanCell community to explore the depths of human experiences in research through our personal anecdotes and reflections. Together, we can acknowledge the interplay between emotions and science where what seems like oil and water, has the potential to mix to promote greater creativity in our research efforts, feed our passion, and preserve our social engagement with our peers.

Emotions in the Lives of Scientists

At first glance, the worlds of science and emotion seem to be at odds with each other. Science is usually associated with rationality and objectivity, while emotions represent the more personal aspects of the human experience.

Although scientists are often selected for their abilities to reason and think critically, it is important to recognize that emotions can also play a vital role in a scientists' daily activities. While logic and rationality provide a foundation for scientific inquiry and problem solving, emotions can significantly influence the way scientists explore new ideas, make decisions, and persevere through challenges.

The passion and enthusiasm that arise from positive emotions can fuel creativity and inspire revolutionary discoveries. Moreover, gut feelings, intuitions, or epiphanies can make unexpected connections that generate novel ideas and motivate us to take the world by storm.

When scientists experience negative emotions, it can have detrimental effects on their performance. Feelings of frustration, disappointment, or self-doubt can significantly impact scientists' minds to think clearly and objectively. Over time, such emotions can reinforce negative experiences, hindering progress and sustainability. The emotional toll can result in diminished motivation and, in the worst-case scenario, give rise to feelings of inadequacy and distorted self-perception (also known as impostor syndrome).

The chemistry of emotions: Scanning the brain of a scientist

"Aureliano Buendía checked his feet and raised his head. He did not know how he had come there, but he knew what his aim was because he had carried it hidden since infancy in an inviolable backwater of his heart" (García Márquez, 1967, p.62).

In One Hundred Years of Solitude, this passage reminds me of a common sentiment expressed by scientists. For many, science goes beyond being a mere profession; it is a calling, something deeply personal that permeates their journey with a sense of purpose and meaning. While some of us may relate to this description, what truly sparks our fascination with science?

The fascination experienced by scientists can be attributed to their emotional investment in the pursuit of knowledge, often leaving them unaware of their own achievements. It is the fusion of curiosity, passion, and the emotional rewards that accompany scientific discoveries.

Various molecules, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, are intricately linked to scientists' sensations of passion. The activation of reward centers in the brain, when scientists experience deep connections with their work, involves the release of these pleasure-inducing molecules that elicit similar feelings to those experienced in romantic love (Fisher, Why We Love). This is also observed when people enjoy chocolate. Although I personally enjoy science more than eating chocolate, neuroscience says that both trigger similar patterns of brain activation!

The somatic marker hypothesis proposed by Antonio Damasio sheds light on the relationship between emotions and decision-making processes. Our emotional responses, arising from past experiences, serve as "somatic markers" that guide our future decisions. For example, a researcher's past experiences can shape various aspects of their work, including experimental design, methods choice, and hypotheses. Similarly, the interactions with peer reviewers can influence the level of perfectionism exhibited during manuscript preparation and the way conclusions are drawn or how novel findings are downplayed.

While this may initially sound like a rigid explanation, Lisa Feldman Barret, a prominent neuroscientist, presents a complementary framework where the brain actively constructs emotions. In her argument, emotions are not pre-existing entities but rather a complex integration of sensory input, prior experiences, and contextual information within the brain. This viewpoint underscores the dynamic nature of emotional experiences and the brain's remarkable capacity to rewire and interpret new encounters with a fresh perspective. Consequently, it is not uncommon for scientists to continually challenge conventions, create new pathways, and explore uncharted territories.

Moreover, scientists, like anyone else, are susceptible to cognitive biases, where emotions can influence their decision-making processes. Daniel Kahneman, in his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," introduces the concept of two thinking systems in our brain: the fast and instinctive system and the slow and deliberative system. Fast thinking is observed during intuitive problem-solving, pattern recognition, and initial data assessment. In these cases, information is interpreted based on pre-existing assumptions or readily available knowledge acquired through experience. While this type of thinking can be helpful in making quick decisions and conserving mental resources, it is prone to errors and emotional biases. On the other hand, scientists perform slow and deliberate thinking when formulating hypotheses, analyzing and interpreting data, and engaging in long-term planning. This ensures scientific rigor and accuracy in their decision-making processes. Sometimes, slow thinking can be driven by uncertainty, self-doubt or fear of making mistakes. While these negative emotions are often perceived as weaknesses by others, they may in this way serve as a net positive to the scientific process.

Identifying Emotions in Science through Colleague's Eyes

During the global pandemic, the concept "clouded mind" resonated across the world. While this term gained popularity in relation to the effects of Covid-19, its relevance extends far beyond.

The notion of a "clouded mind" encapsulates the mental and emotional state experienced by individuals when faced with overwhelming stress, uncertainty, and pressure. For scientists, this state can be especially pronounced as they navigate the complex landscape of scientific research, innovation, and competition. The constant chase for breakthroughs, the demands for funding and publications, and the high expectations can all contribute to a sense of mental fog and cognitive overload.

The pressure experienced by scientists can sometimes give rise to self-doubt, excessive worry, unrealistic standards, self-criticism, decreased interest, emotional exhaustion, and loneliness. When emotions are not credited as integral to the scientific process, these emotional experiences and struggles are frequently overlooked or dismissed. Consequently, the symptoms may become obscured or downplayed, exacerbating the issue. When we acknowledge and understand the emotional challenges scientists face, we validate their experiences and attenuate the intensity of our own emotions.

Emotional compassion, thus, contributes to the cultivation of a culture of openness, where individuals feel safe and comfortable sharing their struggles and seeking support. When we eliminate the fear of judgment or stigma, we create an atmosphere that encourages resilience in the framework of collective recovery and growth.

The ultimate goal of identifying emotions of our colleagues is to humanize science and build a community that values ​​the emotional well-being of its members, as well as their intellectual contributions. This includes celebrating achievements but also offering understanding and empathy during setbacks.

Emotional Diversity: A Pathway to Equality in Science

Emotions are not experienced uniformly across all individuals. Each person's emotional landscape is shaped by their unique combination of personality traits, past events, cultural background, and personal values. People exhibit various degrees of emotional intensity in response to similar situations or stimuli. While some individuals embrace emotions in life, others may exhibit a more reserved or measured response. This diversity in emotional experiences enriches human interactions and strengthens the bonds between individuals working together.

According to Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in their book "Built to Last", emotional diversity is recognized as a potent catalyst for the success of multidisciplinary teams. This book identifies the key characteristics that have contributed to exceptional success in remarkable companies. Within highly functional organizations, a strong sense of belonging and sharing of core values, including trust, empathy, and social responsibility, play a crucial role. These core values ​​are finely shaped by emotional diversity and are reflected in the decision-making and execution processes, shaping the outcomes and overall success of the business. Furthermore, teams that embrace emotional diversity possess the capacity to proficiently organize, navigate intricate situations, and effectively communicate ideas.

The ultimate result is organizations where employees benefit from enhanced cohesiveness, increased synergy, and a strong sense of team identity, nurtured by a culture of openness. According to research, open communication is instrumental in creating environments where employees feel comfortable admitting mistakes, sharing concerns, and discussing problems openly, encouraging transparency and social responsibility. Organizations that prioritize these aspects excel in efficiency and are less susceptible to errors.

These discussed findings can be effectively applied to promote greater equality within the scientific community. By acknowledging emotions and promoting inclusivity, it becomes possible to tackle systemic biases in research, such as unequal representation, limited access to resources, restricted career advancement, disparities in positions, and challenges related to work-life balance. These proactive measures can contribute to creating a safer, more equitable and inclusive scientific environment.

In conclusion, as scientists wholeheartedly embrace emotions in science, they become more attuned to the vibrant pulse of research. This elevated awareness, coupled with diverse perspectives and collaborative efforts, will propel the boundaries of knowledge even further.

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to my Dear Professor Carlos Velasco for our enlightening discussions on this subject. I also thank CanCell Equality and CanCell Young Scientists Forum for offering the opportunity to bring my perspective into the context of equality and well-being in science and to motivate me to write the blog. Finally, I appreciate the valuable feedback provided by my friends and colleagues, as well as the proofreading assistance by Pooja Kumari on the text.

References

Barrett, Lisa Feldman. 2017. How Emotions are Made. Pan Books. p.448

Collins, Jim. 2001. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't. Random House UK. p.320

Collins, Jim and Porras, Jerry I. 1994. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (Good to Great, 2). Harper Business. p.368

Damasio, Antonio. 1995. Descartes' Error: Emotion. Penguin Books. p.336

Fisher, Helen. 2004. Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. Holt Paperbacks. p. 320

García Márquez, Gabriel. 1967. Cien Años de Soledad. Círculo de Lectores, SA p.348

Kahneman, Daniel. 2011. Thinking, Fast and Slow. Penguins Book. p.512