Nerds, or neuroevolutionary rostral developers: a contribution to the future of characterology

Psychoanalytic medicine can incorporate information from the neurosciences to expand anatomic characterology through new knowledge of brain function. One focus of interest that is not currently targeted by research into specific pathological conditions is that of the highly intelligent, scientific person. This paper designates by the ambivalent popular term "nerds" persons whose brain development enables them to manipulate very abstract concepts such as those in math and physics. This ability, which may be in the direction of human brain evolution, contributes to personality development in a way that is not conflicted but leads to investments of mental abilities with intense interest. Personality traits may result that are misunderstood and unpopular despite the crucial need for such persons at this point in our society's history. Portrayals of the nerd type in films, neurological, mental, and social factors favoring the development of nerds, and biographical and case materials round out this description of the type, for which further refinements of our neuropsychiatric and psychoanalytic understanding may be sought.