Periodicals>Journal Article: Charlton, BG (2006), The rise of the boy-genius: psychological-neoteny, science and modern life, Medical Hypotheses, 2006; 67: 679–81., Retrieved on 2013-07-02Source Material [www.hedweb.com]
Folksonomies: evolution cognition intelligence Memes
02 JUL 2013
Cognitive Neoteny in Modern Humans
The boy-genius can be seen as a specific instance of psychological neoteny which is apparently adaptive in modernizing cultures, and it occurred early in science because science is one of the most ‘modern’ and advanced social systems [2]. ‘Neoteny’ refers to the biological phenomenon whereby development is delayed such that juvenile characteristics are retained into maturity. It represents a relatively fast and simple way of evolving adaptations – for instance modern humans in Weste...Perpetual education and change has pushed humans into a perpetual state of youthful cognition. Our brains remain childlike in order to continue to learn and adapt to our ever-changing modern environment.