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From Nutty Professor to Buddy Love - Personality types in modern science

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Bruce Charlton

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Abstract

People often suggest that scientists should have a specific personality type, usually conscientious and self-critical. But this is a mistake. Science as a social system needs to be conscientious and self-critical, but scientists as people do not necessarily have to conform to that stereotype. Since science works by a process of selection, it makes sense to have a wide range of personalities in science. It takes all types. However, the selection pressures within science have changed over recent decades. In the past, a successful scientist often resembled the white-coated, bespectacled and introverted Nutty Professor in Jerry Lewis's movie of that name. But the modern science superstar is more like the Nutty Professor's alter ego, nightclub singer 'Buddy Love': a sharp-suited, good-looking and charismatic charmer. While Nutty was dull but impartial, Buddy is compelling but self-seeking. Our attitude towards public scientific pronouncements should be adjusted accordingly. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Charlton BG

Publication type: Editorial

Publication status: Published

Journal: Medical Hypotheses

Year: 2007

Volume: 68

Issue: 2

Pages: 243-244

Print publication date: 01/01/2007

ISSN (print): 0306-9877

ISSN (electronic): 1532-2777

Publisher: Churchill Livingstone

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2006.10.001

DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.10.001

PubMed id: 17070655

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