Psychological maturity: signs, levels, criteria

Psychological maturity is a multidimensional concept that currently does not have a single established definition. Psychological maturity of an individual is a special state of mental processes and worldview that allows a person to be a self-realizing individual. This includes the ability to establish productive social contacts and adequately perceive reality and the people around them. In addition, the psychological maturity of an individual is based on independence in meeting basic necessary needs, as well as responsibility for one’s life and actions.

All activities of a psychologically mature individual are aimed at realizing their own skills and emotional needs, while respecting social norms, rights and personal boundaries of other people. This is a certain skill that allows you to achieve success, both in your personal life and in your professional life. The priority tasks for such a person are the tasks of growth, development, advancement; there is a rich supply of life experience and empathy, which allows communication at almost any level.

Psychological infantilism

But it also happens that, according to a passport, a person turns 30 (40, 50) years old, but he remains psychologically underdeveloped. This category includes those who constantly hear addressed to them: “When will you finally grow up?” Some of them are even proud of the fact that they do not want to accept the responsibilities of adulthood. It is very difficult for an infantile adult in a world full of problems.

In order to grow up, it is necessary to go through all age-related stages of development, which psychologists call “crises.” At the same time, a crisis is not only circumstances. It is a platform on which the human soul has the opportunity to learn to solve certain problems, receiving its “bonuses” for this. At three years old, a child learns to be independent. This time is called the “3-year crisis,” when the little person increasingly says “I myself.” But if he finds support from adults in his actions, he has a feeling of “I can.” Infantile adults often grow up from overprotective families.

Age-related personality development also represents a major crisis for adolescents. At the same time, the age of 12-18 years is quite fertile soil for a person to develop infantility. It is during adolescence that he decides whether to remain a child or grow up.

What are the characteristics of an infantile personality, or a child wearing the shell of an adult?

1. He doesn't know how to control his emotions. Often expresses anger, whims, blames others;
2. Does not have a well-developed value system. Focuses on “how it is needed, how it is accepted.” Always tries to copy those around him in what to think, say, how to dress;
3. Applies to the world as a consumer. He takes a lot and gives little. The parasitic lifestyle that the infantile personality leads in the family continues in marriage. He simply passes from one guardian to another;
4. Fears responsibility and making one's own decisions;
5. He lives in “waiting for a miracle”, that someone stronger will come to him and solve his problems.

Stages of personality formation

Personality formation begins at birth. This is a long and complex process that occurs in several periods (stages):

Infancy - 0-2 years

At this stage, the baby begins to learn to trust or not to trust. If he is well cared for and loved, he will begin to develop a sense of security and a positive outlook on life. Otherwise, the child will feel unprotected, and the first childhood fears will begin to develop.

Toddler stage - 18 months to 3 years

At this age, the child begins to develop will. With proper upbringing, a child gains self-confidence. Parents will have to go through stubbornness and the first big crisis.

Preschool stage - from 3 years

Some call this stage "playing age." The child begins to develop initiative. He begins to use his imagination and understand how to lead and follow others.

School age stage

At this stage, the child develops basic intellectual skills. He understands how to communicate with peers and knows how to manage communication, and is flexible in different companies.

Adolescent stage

At this stage, a set of values ​​is formed that will help in life. The child's brain becomes more specialized and efficient, productive.

17 years

Abstract thinking is formed, areas of the prefrontal cortex of the brain are formed. In the figure, these zones are highlighted in dark blue and purple. The development of these areas leads to a surge in social activity and expression of emotions among older adolescents. They begin to assess risks, exercise self-control, and plan for their future.

21 years old

At this age, higher mental functions are formed. But a person still cannot control his emotions and make decisions rationally, as can be seen from the small green areas in the figure. These skills are formed only by the age of 23.

Psychology of maturity

A person can be considered mature only if he is able to develop harmoniously in the face of negative and positive events. It is worth remembering that life experience is also gained from failures. If a person has had to deal with severe disappointment, betrayal from a loved one, or shattered dreams, then he can draw some benefit from this.

Maturity is determined by the ability to appreciate even the most negative experience, realizing that without it it will not be possible to fully develop.

A person striving for self-sufficiency accepts the need to be able to make choices even in the most extreme situations and is ready to bear responsibility for them. Young people who are distinguished by the adequacy of consciousness and recognize the need for social and professional fulfillment have a greater chance of achieving psychological maturity than those who cannot escape from the strict control and overprotection of loved ones.

In rare cases, a person can do what he loves, which will provide him with social status and recognition from others. Most often, you have to go to a job you don’t like, which allows you to provide for your everyday needs and needs. In such cases, a mature personality is distinguished by the ability to be persistent in realizing one’s goals and the willingness to compromise with oneself in difficult periods of life.

Important

Getting an education and mastering a profession are important psychological stages of maturity, as is building family and friendships.

Yes, having a diploma with honors does not indicate maturity, but the ability and willingness to learn and develop is a mandatory character trait of a mature person. The ability to live in harmony with oneself and others, as well as to create social connections, make friends and family, significantly help in achieving maturity.

The birth and upbringing of children instills responsibility and contributes to the “maturation” of parents. Friendly relationships help an individual develop democracy, tolerance and acceptance of himself and others in the context of interaction.

Leading activities in adulthood

By leading activity in adulthood, apparently, one should understand the main goal of the life path, in relation to which other types of activities are imbued with meaning, personality develops, and mental processes change. From the position of acmeology in adulthood, the leading activity can be considered the maximum realization of a person’s essential powers during active inclusion in the productive life of society, entry into which is associated with the professional development of the individual. However, the realization of a person’s essential powers in the broadest sense should be understood as physical, social (moral), moral (spiritual), mental and many other achievements in the development of an adult.

Maturity of age and maturity of personality - what is the difference?

Age and maturity are not always synonymous concepts.

For acmeologists, identifying these definitions also causes certain difficulties: not every adult is a mature person and vice versa.

“Adulthood” reflects the degree of physical, mental and social development. This stage refers to a person reaching adulthood, when he is already physically formed and receives a number of rights and responsibilities as a citizen of his state and a member of society.

That is, certain expectations are formed from the individual, both professionally and personally. The success of realizing these expectations already comes from another concept - maturity.

A mature personality is characterized by mental health, the ability to adapt, make independent decisions and take responsibility for them.

She has qualities that characterize her as original and independent.

These qualities can develop in a person before his social and physical maturity, or maybe later. An immature adult personality will be characterized by infantilism, reasoning, and emotional instability.

They often say about such people “not matured,” meaning not their age at all, but their personal maturity. Under normal conditions, this maturity comes with age, with which conditions change and new tasks and goals appear.

In the case of difficult life situations and rich experience, maturity may come “earlier than the calendar.”

In the absence of such changes and the constant care of others, maturity is usually delayed, which gives rise to problems in the future for an adult.

Development of self-knowledge

What else characterizes psychological maturity? The characteristics of this personality include the development of self-knowledge. Because without understanding yourself, it is impossible to effectively build communications with others. This process promotes a realistic attitude towards oneself and a better understanding of others.

A mature person must be aware of what she wants to achieve in life, what is important to 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.

Average maturity

Around the age of 40, a person’s psychological maturity reaches a new level. This is connected with the search for answers to vital questions: about the meaning of existence, the realization of desires.

People are reassessing their values ​​and revising their claims. The ability to rethink the surrounding reality, become interested in new people, influence your future, become a true professional, and realize your creative potential is formed. But this is also the time of doubt. Any person wonders if he has chosen the right path. He is haunted by the fear of decreased performance, 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 personal problems:

• formation of civil liability;
• achieving a certain standard of living;
• optimal organization of leisure;
• deepening the personal aspect in relationships with loved ones, helping children;
• accepting and getting used to your own physiological changes;
• supporting aging parents.

Periods

The period of maturity is distinguished: 25 – 65 years. There is a gradation: early, middle and late maturity. Early: 25 – 35 years is the period of an individual’s entry into the spheres of life, acquisition of skills to build one’s own life, entry into a professional environment and the beginning of creativity.

The average period of maturity lasts longer: up to 55 years. The period of becoming a professional in the chosen field. In this period of time there are: stability in personal relationships (family, children), reassessment of values, search for new ways to achieve goals and answers to questions about the essence of life.

The late period of maturity lasts up to 65 years. Established values ​​help us to see at this time the picture of how the world works in reality, not in desires. The period is distinguished by the level of self-knowledge, activity in family and social relationships. A person acquires tolerance and demonstrates psychological stability.

In light of the increase in life expectancy on the planet, scientific and social research has revealed the fact of “maturation” of the individual up to 75 years of age and made it possible to regroup the periods. An interesting fact: those who are 55-65 years old today are the first in the history of mankind to live an intensely fruitful period of time. When you have health, strength, and life experience has already been acquired. Previously, people aged much earlier; after 65 years of age, activity began to decline.

Are the concepts of “adulthood” and “maturity” identical? Many have encountered elderly people who are childish in their decisions and irresponsible in their words and actions. Undoubtedly, a person is able to “grow up” and “mature” only with the passage of time. But it is also obvious that it is not just a matter of years. John Robert Fowles wrote: “Maturity is not years, but a state of knowing oneself.” It would be more accurate to consider the qualitative definition of personal, psychological, and social maturity. The date of birth in the passport is not important.

Personality and society

Psychological maturity is a multidimensional concept, one of the aspects 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, a rejection of existing stereotypes. Focusing on one's 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 developed over centuries, but spends resources on improvements in microsociety in order to be in harmony with the environment and bring maximum benefit. Social and psychological maturity is evidenced by:

• sense of responsibility;
• social intelligence, the ability to anticipate changes in social processes;
• caring for others;
• active in the life of society;
• applying knowledge and skills to benefit others;
• overcoming problems on the path to self-realization.

Only the social environment is capable of shaping a mature personality.

Resilience to Uncertainty

Many people get lost in situations that lack clarity and lack structure. But a person often has to enter someone else's territory, so he needs confidence in the absence of certainty. We often don't know what problem we'll face or what decisions we'll have to make. Confidence in one’s own intuition, the adequacy of feelings, confidence in the constructiveness of decisions and the ability to take justifiable risks - all this helps a person to endure the tension created by uncertainty. This is also the lot of mature individuals.

Psychological maturity: concept

There is no single approach to defining what it is. The only thing that is indisputable is the statement that we can talk about maturity in the period 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 carefree life - to awareness of one’s responsibility for events;
• from primitive hobbies to more complex interests.

A person’s impulsive actions are replaced by deliberate steps, building a long-term perspective based on previous experience. It is the latter that can force a person to give up immediate achievements in the name of obtaining more serious benefits in the future. What periods of psychological maturity do scientists identify?

Definition of the concept

Maturity is not a set of physiological qualities, not age and social status, and certainly not an educational diploma. In fact, this is a deeper and more complete perception of the surrounding reality, coupled with the desire to develop as a person, the desire to become better than you currently are.

Today, psychologists have come to the conclusion that a mature personality is distinguished by self-confidence and general emotional stability, as well as complete independence and a thirst for professional development.

At times, approaches to defining this concept replaced each other, as a result of which a certain list of signs of psychological maturity was developed:

• Independence is expressed in the ability to lead an autonomous existence and solve possible problems without outside participation. A mature person is ready to make decisions and bear full responsibility for them, and is also able to receive moral satisfaction from the knowledge that she is building her own life.
• Patience. In this case, we are talking about a person’s understanding that the successful implementation of a set goal may take a long time, but this does not discourage him. He understands that it is stupid to hope for quick results and is ready to continue to act to achieve his dream. At the same time, he is completely calm about the people around him with their strengths and weaknesses. He does not feel the desire to remake the world according to his criteria of correctness.
• Inner harmony. It is a rare person who is satisfied with absolutely everything about himself. Much more often the opposite happens and a person constantly strives to become better, in order to get closer to some ideal drawn by consciousness. In some cases, dissatisfaction with one's shortcomings can cause serious psychological problems. But a mature person does not rush from internal discomfort when contemplating his own imperfection. He accepts and loves himself as he is.
• Self-sufficiency is the ability to live in harmony alone with oneself, without feeling psychological and everyday discomfort. A self-sufficient person does not need others to solve any problems or satisfy his needs. Such a person can quite easily spend a weekend evening alone watching his favorite movie; he simply does not feel an urgent need for the company of acquaintances and friends.
• The thirst for knowledge is inherent in any mature personality. A dynamically changing world dictates its own laws, forcing a person to quickly adapt to new realities by mastering new information. The individual accepts the need for self-development for the sake of his further successful existence and does not experience any negative emotions about this.

Important

Maturity is a combination of physical, mental and social development. Most often, the level of psychological maturity is achieved by the age of 30.

But in the case of difficult life situations and rich experience, maturity can come much earlier.

Early maturity

Its beginning coincides with the period of adolescence. The authors differ in determining the exact age limits, but the most common point of view is the position of V. Ginzburg. According to him, boys enter a period of psychological maturity from 16 to 24 years old; girls who grow up a little earlier - from 15 to 20 years old.

How is this stage characterized? A person is included in all types of social activity: he is endowed with legal and voting rights, creates a family, realizes himself professionally and learns economic responsibility. Having absorbed information about various social roles, a person begins to apply it to himself.

A. Tolstykh argues that during this period the beginning of the realization of emerging opportunities for self-development occurs. The main problem is often cited as the contradiction between isolation and closeness with others. At this time it is necessary:

• find harmony between reality and dreams;
• find a mentor;
• decide on a career;
• build a sphere of intimate and personal communication.

Stages of psychological maturity

The process of becoming a mature personality is very long and goes through several stages, which in a normally developing person correspond to specific periods of physiological and mental development.

In some cases, the degree of maturity may freeze in its formation and even remain for life, never leading to the final goal.

To date, psychologists have identified the following 4 stages of personality “maturation”:

• Infantile. This stage is characteristic of people with a childish model of behavior. Such a person is not ashamed of himself and his characteristics and demonstrates himself to others without fear. He openly perceives the world and himself, not paying attention to the negative aspects. Like small children, infantile individuals have an urgent need for love and care and are not ready to take responsibility for anything. Outwardly, they appear to be easy-going optimists who do not have any special attachments. But as soon as they encounter the first difficulty in life, all optimism fades into the background, and all their efforts are directed to finding someone who will take upon themselves to resolve the problems.
• Adaptive. In the case of adequate personality development, this stage corresponds to the teenage period of growing up. At this time, a person strives with all his might to understand the world around him and find his place in it. All forces are aimed at self-affirmation and attempts to prove their own importance. One of the most obvious needs can be considered the craving for independent decision-making, despite unformed responsibility. This personality is characterized by emotional instability and a tendency towards maximalism, a lack of patience with oneself and other people. An adult at this stage of development is quite capable of organizing his own business, but will not be able to stay afloat for long and will not build romantic or friendly relationships.
• Research. This stage is typical for boys and girls who are actively searching for themselves. A person often challenges generally accepted ideals and seeks his own. In addition, the emotional sphere is rapidly developing, a tendency towards empathy is developing, and personal responsibility for family and friends is being formed. A certain maximalism still remains, but more and more often there is a clear tolerance for other people’s imperfections.
• Adult. The stage is characterized by all the signs of a mature personality. There comes awareness and acceptance of the reality of the surrounding reality, one’s role in the real picture of the world, internal harmony is achieved and the need arises to create conditions for its maintenance.

Old age. Classification of personality adaptation to old age.

The classification proposed by D. B. Bromley is quite widely supported in the world psychological literature. She identifies five types of personality adaptation to old age:

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1) A person’s constructive attitude towards old age, in which elderly and old people are internally balanced, have a good mood, and are satisfied with emotional contacts with people around them. They are moderately critical of themselves and at the same time very tolerant of others and their possible shortcomings. They do not dramatize the end of professional activity, have an optimistic attitude towards life, and interpret the possibility of death as a natural event that does not cause sadness and fear. Having not experienced too many traumas and shocks in the past, they show neither aggression nor depression, have lively interests and constant plans for the future. Thanks to their positive life balance, they confidently count on the help of others. The self-esteem of this group of elderly and old people is quite high.

2) Dependency relationship. A dependent personality is a person who is subordinate to someone, dependent on a marital partner or on his child, who does not have too high demands in life and, thanks to this, willingly leaves the professional environment. The family environment provides him with a sense of security, helps maintain internal harmony, emotional balance, and not experience any hostility or fear.

3) A defensive attitude, characterized by exaggerated emotional restraint; some straightforwardness in their actions and habits, a desire for “self-sufficiency” and a reluctant acceptance of help from other people. People of this type of adaptation to old age avoid expressing their own opinions and have difficulty sharing their problems and doubts. Sometimes they take a defensive position towards the whole family. Even if there are any claims and complaints against the family, they do not express them. The protective mechanism they use against the fear of death and deprivation is their activity “through force”, constant feeding by external actions. People with a defensive attitude towards advancing old age are very reluctant and only under pressure from others to leave their professional work.

4) Attitude of hostility towards others. People with such an attitude are aggressive, explosive and suspicious, they strive to “shift” blame and responsibility for their own failures onto other people, and do not quite adequately assess reality. Distrust and suspicion make them withdraw into themselves and avoid contact with other people. They do their best to drive away the thought of retiring, because... use the mechanism of releasing tension through activity. Their life path, as a rule, was accompanied by numerous stresses and failures, many of which turned into nervous diseases. People belonging to this type of attitude towards old age are prone to acute reactions of fear, they do not perceive their old age, and think with despair about the progressive loss of strength. If all this is also combined with a hostile attitude towards young people, sometimes with the transfer of this attitude to the entire “new, alien world”. This kind of rebellion against their own old age is combined in these people with a strong fear of death.

5) The attitude of a person’s hostility towards himself. People of this type avoid memories because they have had many failures and difficulties in their lives. They are passive, do not rebel against their own old age, they only meekly accept what fate sends them. The inability to satisfy the need for love is the cause of depression, self-esteem and sadness.

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Social maturity of the individual

So, if we consider a person as a body that is born, lives 90 years and dies, then we can talk about the social maturity of the individual.

And consider the following periods of human maturity:

infant (0-1 year old) child (2-12 years old) teenager (13-18 years old) young man (19-25 years old) adult (26-65 years old) old man (66-90 years old)

Social maturity comes from the word socialization, society. In society, human maturity is viewed this way.

But since we are Spiritual beings, as I already said, it is important for us to understand how social maturity of a person differs from psychological maturity. Therefore, let’s leave the social maturity of the individual for sociologists, psychologists, scientists, and let’s figure out what the psychological maturity of the individual is.

Therefore, let’s leave the social maturity of the individual for sociologists, psychologists, and scientists, and we ourselves will figure out what the psychological maturity of the individual is.

In other words, the psychological maturity of a person is NOT about socialization, but about the essence of a person. And the essence of man is the Soul, and the Soul is an eternal being.

Therefore, we cannot limit an eternal being to 90 years of life.

It is important for us to understand that before and after our life, something also happens. And if we cut ourselves off from Eternity, we cut ourselves off from all the important Laws of the Universe

If we look into life a little deeper than our usual view, where there is only work, home, picnics, travel, and again work, home, picnics, travel, and so on in a circle, we will see infinite depth. As infinite as the Spirit itself, which is the source of all our Souls.

Our suffering is NOT accidental, friends! They cut off the Truth, a huge piece of the Universe, from us, forced us to run around like squirrels in a wheel, and live according to the principle of society “need”, “should”, “must”, “do as everyone else”. And just try to do as your Soul pleases! You'll get hit on the head right away!

or what distinguishes psychological maturation

Below I will list the main signs that are characteristic of a psychologically mature person.

A mature person is able to independently make life choices, while taking full personal responsibility.

When making a choice, a mature person expresses his inner position. He chooses based on his own values, but at the same time he always takes into account the values ​​of other people.

That is why his choice is not the choice of an egoist, but an authentic one, i.e. a genuine person.

1. Authenticity

A mature person is able to accept himself as he is, he has adequate self-esteem, without excesses towards excessive pride or endless self-recrimination and self-dislike.

In addition, a psychologically mature person is able to accept the world as it is.

For such a person, everything black and white, everything ugly and beautiful, everything evil and good is a harmonious manifestation of the Universe, and if such a person cannot change anything, then he humbly and philosophically accepts everything as it is.

1. Deep and authentic relationships with others

A spiritually mature person does not play roles, does not hide behind masks, he lives naturally, feeling not the center, but part of relationships with others.

He is tolerant of other people, knows how to empathize, understand, listen and hear others.

1. Developed self-knowledge

A mature personality, along with adequate self-perception, also knows himself well, is aware of his advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, resources and opportunities.

A mature person knows how to hear himself, correctly identify his experiences, thoughts and emotions. He knows who he is.

1. The desire for self-development

A psychologically mature person is characterized by healthy dissatisfaction with the existing level of spirituality and personal maturity.

Therefore, such a person strives for further growth, does not stop there, he is ready to sacrifice energy and time for the sake of expanding his knowledge and development.

Of course, in this tiny note it is impossible to describe all the signs that characterize a mature personality; it has many facets and manifestations.

Therefore, in the next article I will talk about its other most important characteristics, and also describe the conditions under which personal maturity is formed.

In addition, in it I will allow myself to speculate on the connection between psychological maturation and the key components of success and self-confidence.

That's all. Take care of yourself!

See you in the next publication!

Denis Kryukov

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Levels of personality maturity (Soul)

The description of these levels is based on the 7 subtle human bodies. I described the 7 subtle bodies in more detail HERE, and there is also a diagram there that can be used to better understand the levels described below.

Briefly, the 7 subtle bodies/planes of existence can be described as follows:

body/plane No. 7 - atmanic body - my mission, purpose, my destiny body/plane No. 6 - buddhial body - my true desires, values ​​- WHAT DO I WANT? body/plane No. 5 - causal body - event flows - WHAT AM I DOING? body/plane No. 4 - mental body (thoughts, beliefs) WHAT DO I THINK? WHAT DO I PLAN? body/plane No. 3 - emotional body (astral) WHAT DO I FEEL? body/plane No. 2 - energy body (ethereal) - sensation of energy in the body body/plane No. 1 - physical body - sensations in the body from the 5 senses

An infantile personality is an adult who behaves like a (baby). For such a person, life goes on at the first three subtle levels - physical, energetic, and emotional. Positive emotion is the goal of his day, drink beer, have fun. It’s even difficult to talk to him about something; his mental plan is not included. It is impossible to discuss with such a person the meaning of his life, values, desires. There is chaos in his head. Such a person is bound to be rejected. He is being persecuted because he is not responsible for his actions. He is in a good mood, everyone is good, he is in a bad mood, everyone is bad. And he is forced to adapt because he is being driven. Adaptation consists in the fact that he rises to the next level - mental.

Adaptation is an adult who behaves like a (child). He begins to learn what is right, what is wrong at the level of rules, learns the rules of external space. He begins to behave correctly, and they begin to persecute him less. But these are actions that he organizes from below, from the rules. And they need to be organized from above, from one’s own desires and feelings. If you don't feel it, don't do it. And he is not yet a sentient being on the mental plane. He feels if you pinch him, but I'm talking about other feelings. Then he adapts more comfortably and moves to the level of successful adaptation. That is, his event plan begins to improve.

Successful adaptation is an adult who behaves like a (teenager). These are people who establish connections in society, receive a specialty, and income. In general, the person just settled down well. His event flow (causal plan) is established, but it is again established from below. And it should be on top. Therefore, when you try to talk to him, you see that he seems to have nothing behind his soul. He always says what is right and what is wrong. Everyone is each other's enemies. You can't rely on anyone. You have to work and earn money. That's how cool I am. And he begins to tell his successes in adaptation. But you can’t have a heart-to-heart talk. Because his feelings are not conscious. Next comes the stage of research itself, this is the transition to the inner space. Before this, there was the development of external space.

Interpersonal relationships in adulthood

Freud believed that a person's well-being in adulthood is determined by his ability to love and work. Most psychologists use other terms in their definitions, but the meaning of the latter remains unchanged.

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Family as a factor in child development

... character than any other upbringing. A family unites people of different ages, genders, and often with different professional interests. This allows the child to most fully express his emotional... make decisions independently; Have an understanding of the different stages in a child's life; Respect the child’s right to his own opinion; Be able to restrain possessive instincts and treat...

The foundations of modern research in adult psychology were laid by E. Erikson. The central psychological moment in early adulthood (25 - 35 years old) is the establishment of intimacy, close personal connections with another person. If a person has failed in intimate communication, then he may develop a feeling of isolation, the feeling that he cannot rely on anyone in the world except himself. Erikson uses the term “intimacy” as multifaceted in meaning and scope. First of all, he refers to intimacy as the intimate feeling we feel towards spouses, friends, siblings, or other relatives. However, he also talks about intimacy itself, that is, the ability to “merge your identity with the identity of another person without fear that you are losing something about yourself.”

About age

All levels of maturity are associated with a personal crisis. F. Perls believes that its main indicator is the ability to find a way out of a deadlock situation, relying on one’s 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 generally shares the opinion of his colleague, believes it is possible to perceive help from the outside. The main indicator of personal immaturity, in his opinion, is helplessness

And finding a way out of a dead end, no matter through personal resources or with the help of others, is an indicator of adulthood

Psychological age may not coincide at all with calendar age. And at the age of 15, there are absolutely mature individuals, and at 30, there are people who are not capable of taking responsibility for their actions and actions. In order to understand, let’s take a closer look at the psychological characteristics of maturity. The authors identify a different number of features; we will focus on the most significant ones, which will be discussed below.

Authenticity

From ancient Greek the word is translated as “genuine” and echoes the concept of “congruence.” We are talking about the adequacy and consistency of the elements. In this context, it is comparable to the word “originality” and is one of the most important indicators of the psychological maturity of an individual.

The phenomenon is described by the American scientist D. Bugental, who includes the following points:

• awareness of the present;
• freedom of choice here and now;
• awareness of one's own responsibility for this choice.

An authentic person is sincere in his immediate manifestations and in his behavior in general. He does not pretend to be knowledgeable, in love or pleased in response to the expectations of others. Many strive to play roles, putting on masks and wasting energy on demonstrating a decent external facade without solving internal problems. In response, they also receive insincerity, making it difficult to decipher the real attitude of other people towards themselves.

An authentic personality spends time solving problems that arise, without hiding behind someone else's mask. She is capable of showing flexibility in any situation.

Acceptance of feelings

It's about being honest with yourself. A mature person is open to life experience and accepts the full range of his own feelings. And not just the socially approved ones. The environment often encourages you to repress sadness, anger, irritability and other negative emotions. From childhood, parents teach: “don’t cry,” “don’t show excitement,” “don’t worry.” But if emotions are constantly repressed, in the future they will become the root cause of uncontrollable behavior in the most unexpected moments.

Psychological maturity implies living through the feelings that arise. Only this method allows us to control our own behavior, to be tolerant not only towards ourselves, but also towards other people. If a person is aware of his reactions, then he is able to competently regulate his responses.

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 based. This allows scientists to distinguish levels of maturity: low, high and medium. The main criteria include external and internal. The first includes the degree of mastery of the social competencies listed in the article.

The latter include traits that characterize personality: empathy, sociability, adequate self-esteem, responsibility, attentiveness, tolerance, etc.

The higher a 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 he has.

Other important signs

Let's talk about psychological maturity. Most scientists classify the following traits as characteristics of maturity:

• Personal responsibility for decisions made. It helps you think differently about criticism, seeing it as useful feedback.
• Lack of fear when building close relationships. A person himself determines his distance from others, freely expressing his feelings.
• Setting realistic goals in communication. It's about giving up perfectionism and taking responsibility for failed relationships. It is more important to learn useful lessons while avoiding feelings of guilt.
• Having empathy is the ability to perceive the feelings of other people. Taking them into account in the communication process allows you to build correct communications.

Probably, many have come across a mention of socio-psychological maturity. What are we talking about?