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Ransom Riggs
Psychological neoteny
by Ransom Riggs - January 9, 2007 - 2:11 PM

baby.jpgSounds like, well, psycho-babble, right? But it describes a unique personality trait that could become invaluable to future generations. What some of us might consider signs of immaturity — a grandfather who loves video games, or a grown woman who never stopped playing with dolls — is what psychology professor Bruce Charlton refers to as psychological neoteny, or “the retention of youthful attitudes and behaviors into later adulthood.” It turns out that such behaviors correspond to an adaptability to change which is becoming increasingly valuable in our fast-paced new world — and increasingly common, as well.

It’s been noted again and again that people seem to reach “maturity” at 25 or 26 now — if then — whereas our parents, and their parents before them, grew up faster. According to Dr. Charlton, this is partially a result of post-secondary and post-graduate education, which requires that students keep an open and adaptable mind in order to succeed. “In a psychological sense, some contemporary individuals never actually become adults,” he writes, which is “especially helpful in making the best out of enforced job changes, the need for geographic mobility and the requirement to make new social networks.”

So to all you parents of 27-year-olds who’ve moved back home after college — count your lucky stars. (Then kick the bums out!)

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Comments (7)

  1. I’ve always thought maturity was overrated. I’m 48 and I still have a lot of fun.

    posted by Rhea on 1-9-2007 at 2:34 pm

  2. I’m not sure I like the implication that “maturity” and open-mindedness or adaptability are mutually exclusive.

    posted by Bill T. on 1-9-2007 at 3:18 pm

  3. Of course, maybe I’m just too grown up to be able to appreciate the situation.

    posted by Bill T. on 1-9-2007 at 3:20 pm

  4. My dad’s almost 60 and still laughs at fart jokes….and this is a man who has a PhD and is a psychologist.

    posted by Kate on 1-9-2007 at 4:26 pm

  5. I am 62 going on 8. I look at the world through the eyes of a child ….with wonderment and excitement. Open mind. I learn something new everyday. I learn far more from mistakes than success. And, by the end of the day I have had a lot of fun.

    posted by fred on 1-10-2007 at 12:56 am

  6. This study seems like one of those dream studies and people can point to and say, “See! Toldja it was okay!” Gotta love justification after the fact.

    Not that I disagree, isn’t that what most people strive for? Work hard so your kids can have an education, so that they don’t have to work as hard as you?

    And fart jokes will ALWAYS be funny. No matter how old you get.

    posted by Lyssa on 1-10-2007 at 8:27 am

  7. My guess is that a higher percentage of people who read this site ‘enjoy’ psychological neoteny, than the percentage in the general population.

    -Stew

    posted by Stew on 1-10-2007 at 11:19 am

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