Psychological maturity is not directly expressed by experience or age.
Anyway it is not always easy to define what it is to be mature, so . This article discusses point by point all the characteristics that distinguish mature people.
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What is it to be a mature person?
The concept of “maturity” can sometimes lead to confusion. The main reason is that it is a polysemic word, which means it can mean different things.
Perhaps the most generalized meaning of the word is of something that is grown, that has the quality of having fully developed. This applies to foods such as fruits or vegetables, but is also used to describe a person’s vital period. It is an age in which it has already developed fully without having yet entered old age.
However, there is another meaning that has nothing entirely to do with someone’s psychological qualities. A mature person is one who has a series of characteristics that distinguish him as sensible, of good judgment or even prudent.
It is therefore a condition applicable to people regardless of their age. An elderly person can be very immature, just as a teenager can be very mature.
Also in the cases of children there can be a lot of maturity, and it is usual to hear them say: “they are very mature because of their age”. Thus, although there is no direct relationship, culturally there is a tendency to link experience or age with maturity.
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15 key characteristics of mature people
It is easy enough to recognize an immature person, but do we know how to distinguish the characteristics of mature people? Sometimes the signs are less obvious, and more so after understanding that it is not something linked to age.
Below are the traits belonging to psychologically mature people. However, it must be borne in mind that maturity is in itself a process of acquisition, and one is never 100% mature and in all facets of life.
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1. Know what you want
A mature person knows what he wants and focuses on what matters to him . He is able to identify the things to fight for and give up what is not the best way to spend his energies.
2. Independence
Maturity implies not having relationships of dependence on others. In addition to enjoying spending time alone, mature people do not necessarily need other people to achieve their goals.
3. Emotional control
Emotional control is one of the clearest characteristics of mature people. One of the signs of immaturity is snubbed reactions to things they don’t like, causing emotional instability.
4. Care for social relationships
Mature people understand the importance of dealing with others. These are people who nurture their social relationships, and who have no problem giving up the company of toxic companies.
5. Daring
A mature person understands that in life you have to take certain risks. Change is perhaps the only constant in this world, and it is necessary to bet on one’s own desires to take sides.
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6. Intelligence
There is no doubt that intelligence is a characteristic of intelligent people. However, we must not interpret intelligence in the wrong way, and there are many ways to be intelligent.
7. Prioritize
Who is mature knows how to prioritize. Many immature people can make the mistake of not dedicating themselves to what they have to do at all times, which can lead to some failures. It is also important to attend to what is important as well as urgent.
8. Learning from mistakes
This is the point at which experience and age can play their part. The mature person takes note of the mistakes of the past, taking advantage of this experience to act more wisely.
9. Critical attitude
Mature people have a critical attitude towards what is happening in the world. There are many people who live their day to day acting in certain ways without really considering whether “normal” is what is worth doing.
10. Realism and imagination
Realism and imagination play a very important role in mature people. Realism means the ability to understand the way the world works, but part of this mechanism needs a good deal of imagination.
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11. Set goals
In life it is necessary to have projects . The mature person understands this fact, and therefore looks for ways to create their own goals. Pursuing them and enjoying the journey is one of the clearest ways to express maturity.
12. Security
Those who are mature are not afraid of rejection and understand that not everyone will like them . This type of person has enough self-esteem and security to do the things they want, regardless of whether someone may criticize their work.
13. Self-regulation
Who has maturity knows when to put all the meat on the grill and when not . Our energy is not infinite, and we must manage it wisely in order to carry out all responsibilities correctly and at the same time enjoy life.
14. Commitment
Commitment is essential for mature people . Being ready to keep their word is one of their main characteristics, and that is that responsibility is of vital importance to them.
15. Empathy
Normally a mature person has the ability to understand others . This is not always the case, but it is usual for someone in need to turn to a mature person to ask for listening and advice.
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Bibliographic references
- Erikson , EH ( 1968 ). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York (USA): WW Norton & Company.
- Johnson, S.B., Blum, R.W., y Giedd, J.N. (2009). Adolescent Maturity and the Brain: The Promise and Pitfalls of Neuroscience Research in Adolescent Health Policy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45 (3), 216–221.
- Bjorklund, D.F. (1997). The role of immaturity in human development. Psychological Bulletin, 122 (2), 153–169.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
