The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement by David Brooks is mainly the story about Harold and Erica. Brooks borrows the methods of Rousseau by taking the principals and applying them through storytelling. Brooks has created two main characters - Erica and Harold.

Brooks begins by telling what he believes will be the happiest story the reader has ever read. It is a story about two seemingly ordinary people that have done extraordinary things. These people were never singled out as geniuses or spectacularly special in any way. Instead, their gifts seemed to be innate and less obvious than the gifts of some overachievers or star athletes. This couple possessed noncognitive skills - skills that are not obvious. The term is a catchall phrase for things that are not easily measured. Brooks states that this book is different from the zillions of others that have been published over the years. It focuses on the role of the inner mind and the birthplace of street smarts. Brooks asserts that the majority of thinking - thinking that leads to success - takes place in the unconscious mind. "If the study of the conscious mind highlights the importance of reason and analysis, study of the unconscious mind highlights the importance of passions and perception. If the outer mind highlights the power of the individual, the inner mind highlights the power of relationships and the invisible bonds between people." Introduction, p. 8.

Brooks goes on to talk about how the unconscious mind typically works separately and complimentarily with the conscious mind. Brooks' main goal is to show the reader what the unconscious mind looks like when it is at its peak. He will attempt to explain the research and how the scientists understand human nature.

The stories of Harold and Erica begin when they are children. Harold and Erica were created to show the development and psychological nature of the individual and how it operated in and out of a relationship. Harold and Erica embody the principles and behaviors outlined by numerous scientists, educators and psychologists.

Brooks follows the lives of Harold and Erica throughout their formative years, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, their career choices, marriage, retirement and old age.

Harold and Erica have been created to show every aspect of the social animal including education, socialization, and morality. They have ups and downs and hard learning experiences. Throughout it all, however, both learn how to adapt and grow as individuals as well as a couple. Both achieve greatness in their chosen fields by emulating the principles set forth by the author.