Maturity is the longest period in the process of ontogenesis, covering the age from about 25 to 65 years. Often the concept is identified with adulthood, but this is far from the same thing. The topic of this article is the psychological maturity of the individual. In it you will receive answers to questions about what are its main characteristics and whether every person is an adult at 30 years old.
Psychological maturity: concept
There is no single approach in determining what it is. The only thing indisputable is the assertion that one can speak of maturity at a time when a person is at the peak of his intellectual, physical and spiritual abilities. Its maturation occurs gradually and marks the transition:
- from subordination to elders in the family - to equality;
- from dependence - to independence;
- from the simplest set of reactions to external influences - to a diverse behavioral repertoire;
- from a careless life - to the realization of one's responsibility for events;
- from primitive hobbies to more complex interests.
Man's impulsive actions are replaced by deliberate steps, building a long-term perspective, based on previous experience. It is the latter that is able to force a person to abandon momentary achievements in the name of obtaining more serious benefits in the future. What periods of psychological maturity do scientists distinguish?
Early maturity
Its beginning coincides with the period of youth. The authors disagree in determining the exact age limits, but the most common point of view is the position of V. Ginzburg. According to him, guys enter the period of psychological maturity from 16 to 24 years old; girls growing up a little earlier - from 15 to 20 years.
What is characterized by this stage? A person is included in all types of social activity: he is endowed with legal and electoral rights, creates a family, is implemented professionally and learns about economic responsibility. Having absorbed information about various social roles, a person begins to apply it to himself.
A. Tolstykh claims that during this period, the beginning of the realization of the opportunities for self-development begins. The main problem is often called the contradiction between isolation and closeness with others. At this time, you must:
- find harmony between reality and dreams;
- gain a mentor;
- decide on a career;
- to build the sphere of intimate and personal communication.
Middle maturity
By about 40 years of age, the psychological maturity of a person reaches a new level. This is due to the search for answers to vital questions: about the meaning of existence, the realization of desires.
People are reassessed values, revision of claims. The ability to rethink the surrounding reality, to become interested in new people, to influence their future, to become a true professional, to be realized in creativity is being formed. But this is a time of doubt. Anyone asks whether he has chosen his right path. He is haunted by a fear of reduced efficiency, and there is a need to choose new goals. A common reason is the difference between desires and reality.
A new level of maturity is associated with the emergence of problems that are often associated with a midlife crisis. Scientists believe that overcoming it is associated with solving the following personality problems:
- formation of civil liability;
- achievement of a certain standard of living;
- optimal organization of leisure;
- deepening the personal aspect in relationships with loved ones, helping children;
- acceptance and getting used to their own physiological changes;
- maintaining aging parents.
Late maturity
The psychological maturity of a person is associated with retirement, therefore, her age boundaries are mobile. There are three most important points that allow us to talk about a new, independent stage in the development of an individual:
- change of activity;
- survival;
- preservation of values and basic content of life.
It is important for a person to overcome the feeling of unnecessary anxiety, emptiness, excessive self-focus. This is achieved by:
- active involvement in social, family and social relations;
- the emergence of tolerance in relationships with other people;
- emotional stability;
- adoption of a real, not desired picture of the world;
- ability to self-knowledge and the formation of the existing system of values.
Scientists note: one of the most important moments of psychological maturity in old age is the correct feeling of one’s age, overcoming the contradictions of a person’s spiritual, biological and psychological capabilities.
About age
All maturity levels are associated with a personality crisis. F. Perls believes: its main indicator is the ability to find a way out of the impasse, relying on its own resources. Maturity allows you to overcome frustration and fear, being able to take risks and make responsible decisions. But J.-M. Robin, for example, who basically shares the opinion of a colleague, considers it possible to perceive help from outside. The main indicator of personality immaturity, in his opinion, is helplessness. And finding a way out of the impasse, no matter due to personal resources or with the help of others, is an indicator of adulthood.
The psychological age may not coincide with the calendar. And at 15 years old, absolutely mature individuals meet, and at 30 - individuals who are not able to answer for their actions and deeds. In order to understand, we consider in more detail the psychological characteristics of maturity. The authors identify a different number of features, we will focus on the most significant, which will be disclosed a little lower.
Authenticity
From ancient Greek the word is translated as “genuine” and echoes the concept of “congruence”. It is about the adequacy and consistency of the elements. In this context, it is comparable to the word "identity" and is one of the most important indicators of the psychological maturity of a person.
The phenomenon is described by the American scientist D. Buigental, including the following points:
- awareness of the present;
- freedom of choice here and now;
- awareness of their own responsibility for this choice.
An authentic person is sincere in momentary manifestations and in behavior in general. He does not pretend to be knowledgeable, in love or satisfied in response to the expectations of others. Many strive to play roles by putting on masks and spending energy to demonstrate a decent exterior facade without solving internal problems. In response, they also receive insincerity, making it difficult to decipher other people's real relationships.
An authentic person spends time solving problems that arise, not hiding behind someone else's mask. She is capable of being flexible in all situations.
Acceptance of feelings
It is about sincerity in relation to oneself. A mature person is open to life experience and accepts the full gamut of his own feelings. And not just socially favored ones. The environment often leads to crowding out sadness, anger, irritability and other negative emotions. From childhood, parents teach: "do not cry," "do not show excitement," "do not worry." But if emotions are constantly crowded out, in the future they will become the root cause of uncontrolled behavior in the most unexpected moments.
Psychological maturity implies the living of emerging feelings. Only this method allows us to control our own behavior, to be tolerant not only in relation to ourselves, but also to other people. If a person is aware of his reactions, then he is able to competently regulate the response.
Self-knowledge development
What else is characterized by psychological maturity? The characteristic of this person includes the development of self-knowledge. For without understanding oneself, it is impossible to effectively build communication with others. This process helps a realistic attitude towards oneself and a better understanding of others.
A mature person must be aware of what he wants to achieve in life, what is important for her and what is not. She constantly adjusts her values. She should not become a reflection of the hopes of others, but must act, guided by her own convictions. This allows you to feel strong in interpersonal contacts.
Resistance to uncertainty
Many are lost in situations in which there is no clarity, lack of structure. But a person often has to fall into someone else's territory, so he needs confidence in the absence of certainty. We often do not know what problem we will face and what decisions will have to be made. Confidence in one’s own intuition, adequacy of feelings, belief in constructive decisions and the ability to take risks are justified - all this helps a person to bear the tension created by uncertainty. It is also the destiny of mature individuals.
Other important symptoms
Let's talk about psychological maturity. Most scientists refer to the characteristics of maturity and the following features:
- Personal responsibility for decisions made. It helps to take criticism differently, seeing it as useful feedback.
- Lack of fear in building close relationships. The person himself determines the distance with others, freely expressing his feelings.
- Setting real goals in communication. We are talking about the rejection of perfectionism and shouldering responsibility for failed relationships. It is more important to learn useful lessons while avoiding guilt.
- The presence of empathy - the ability to perceive the feelings of other people. Considering them in the process of communication allows you to build the right communication.
Probably, many met the mention of socio-psychological maturity. What are you talking about?
Personality and Society
Psychological maturity is a multidimensional concept, one of the sides of which is interaction with society. It is impossible to live in isolation from his problems and aspirations.
The social aspect is, first of all, the rejection of prevailing stereotypes. Focusing on their own needs and feelings, a mature person is less susceptible to manipulation and the influence of the crowd.
But at the same time, a mature individual accepts the world with all its laws, imperfections and even suffering. He does not try to change what has evolved over the centuries, but spends resources on improvements in microsocium in order to be in harmony with the environment and bring maximum benefit. On the socio-psychological maturity indicate:
- sense of responsibility;
- social intelligence, the ability to anticipate changes in social processes;
- caring for others;
- activity in society;
- applying knowledge and skills to the benefit of others;
- overcoming problems on the path to self-realization.
Only the social environment is capable of forming a mature personality.
Levels of psychological maturity
Each person has a different degree of socialization: the number of contacts, the level of interaction, life values, on the basis of which communication is built. This allows scientists to distinguish maturity levels: low, high and medium. Among the main criteria, external and internal are distinguished. The first include the degree of mastery of the social competencies listed in the article.
The second can include personality traits: empathy, sociability, adequate self-esteem, responsibility, attentiveness, tolerance, etc.
The higher the person’s desire for self-knowledge and self-development, the faster he learns life lessons, developing responsibility and tolerance, the higher the level of maturity.
Instead of a conclusion
Often you can hear the concept of "psychological school maturity." What is it about? We found that early adulthood begins at the age of 15-16, when boys and girls go to secondary school. They are distinguished by self-sufficiency, the presence of beliefs and worldview, as well as the formation of those qualities that characterize a mature personality.