This paper reviews studies on the citing behavior of scientists, focusing on research published from the early 1960s to mid-2005. The review aims to answer whether scientists cite publications primarily for intellectual and cognitive recognition or for other, possibly non-scientific reasons. The findings suggest that citing behavior is influenced by various factors beyond intellectual recognition, including social and practical considerations. However, the reliability of these studies is questioned due to methodological weaknesses and the lack of replicability. The paper also discusses two theoretical approaches to explaining citing behavior: the normative theory and the social constructivist view. Empirical studies using context or content analysis and citer motivation surveys or interviews provide insights into the motivations behind citations, highlighting the complex nature of citing behavior. Despite the increasing importance of bibliometric evaluations in scholarship, the paper emphasizes the need for further research to improve the understanding and reliability of citation counts as measures of scientific impact.This paper reviews studies on the citing behavior of scientists, focusing on research published from the early 1960s to mid-2005. The review aims to answer whether scientists cite publications primarily for intellectual and cognitive recognition or for other, possibly non-scientific reasons. The findings suggest that citing behavior is influenced by various factors beyond intellectual recognition, including social and practical considerations. However, the reliability of these studies is questioned due to methodological weaknesses and the lack of replicability. The paper also discusses two theoretical approaches to explaining citing behavior: the normative theory and the social constructivist view. Empirical studies using context or content analysis and citer motivation surveys or interviews provide insights into the motivations behind citations, highlighting the complex nature of citing behavior. Despite the increasing importance of bibliometric evaluations in scholarship, the paper emphasizes the need for further research to improve the understanding and reliability of citation counts as measures of scientific impact.