What Does Being Mature Really Mean?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the concept of maturity, emphasizing that it is not solely defined by age but rather by qualities such as responsibility, critical thinking, and the ability to act with forethought. Participants agree that maturity involves being thoughtful, considerate, and honest, while also recognizing that immaturity can sometimes foster social connections. The conversation highlights that maturity is often judged by others based on one's actions, and it is ultimately a reflection of personal choices and character development.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of emotional intelligence and its role in interpersonal relationships.
  • Familiarity with concepts of personal development and self-reflection.
  • Knowledge of critical thinking and decision-making processes.
  • Awareness of social dynamics and how behavior influences perceptions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research emotional intelligence frameworks and their impact on maturity.
  • Explore techniques for enhancing critical thinking skills.
  • Study the effects of self-reflection on personal growth and maturity.
  • Investigate social psychology principles related to judgment and perception of maturity.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for individuals interested in personal development, psychologists, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the nuances of maturity in social contexts.

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I've been called a few things in my day (not a lot of 'em, but hey...), and "mature" seems to be a common one. So, I ask, what does it actually mean to be "mature"?
 
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My age; whatever that happens to be at the moment.

Usually people are referring to your maturity level as opposed to your age. For example, if you are a very responsible person at age 16, you might be considered mature on that basis. You might be considered mature as a function of your interests. You might be considered mature based on your demeanor... So I think its a term relative to the context; if there is one.
 
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maturity is when you realize that making thread asking about it is immature
 
Isn't it past your bedtime yommama?
 
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?
 
1. not being too influenced by whatever is happening around you and just do the right thing!:bugeye:
2. not commenting on what yu have no idea about.
Therefore, I shouldn't post in your thread! :biggrin:
 
Smasherman said:
I've been called a few things in my day (not a lot of 'em, but hey...), and "mature" seems to be a common one. So, I ask, what does it actually mean to be "mature"?
Probably being responsible is a common meaning. Along with that goes being deliberate, thoughtful, considerate, dependable, sincere, respectful, honest, using careful consideration and sound or good judgement, and basically being a decent person. Lisa!'s first definition would apply.
 
thoughtful, considerate, sincere...?

HONEST?

It would seem that you feel that there are many immature, old, business tycoons?

I had one employer who blatently tried to shame me for my naivety, for being honest; and over nothing of consequence no less.
 
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Though these are certainly good qualities to have, I don't understand the connection to maturity.
 
  • #10
tribdog said:
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?
Yeah, maybe he's having those bladder control issues again.
 
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  • #11
Maturity, I vaguely define as having:

*Capacity for reason (in other words-->critical thinking), and
*Willpower (to act upon the reason<--as concluded from that 'critical thinking')
 
  • #12
tribdog said:
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?


Maybe it's cos you were mean to him in the "thread killer" thread. Or cos I :smile:ed at it.

Maturity makes things less fun. It is something I lack. I still run around my flat making monkey noises.

I suppose maturity is a measure of how adult you are. But how do you judge that? Who was the most mature person ever, who is the benchmark for everyone else's maturity?

Anyway, immaturity is better. It has become my new way of meeting people. To quote Seinfeld (seeing as FredGarvin did in another thread)

"So, do you date immature men?"
"Almost exclusively."

If it works for him, it has to work for me. :biggrin:
 
  • #13
It's not about mature or immature, it's mainly about affection one has and it never I blive apprears in those who don't even feel or understand what is a true affection for even a thing !
 
  • #14
yomamma said:
maturity is when you realize that making thread asking about it is immature
Who's yommama, btw?:-p
 
  • #15
Lisa! said:
Who's yommama, btw?:-p

I don't know, I was just spawned in a pool with my brothers and sisters. No, wait, that's tadpoles.

Maturity is not hijacking someone else's thread! :biggrin:
 
  • #16
jimmy p said:
I don't know, I was just spawned in a pool with my brothers and sisters. No, wait, that's tadpoles.

Maturity is not hijacking someone else's thread! :biggrin:
Yep! And it's not also mature to call someone else immature even if he is!:-p
 
  • #17
Lisa! said:
Yep! And it's not also mature to call someone else immature even if he is!:-p


Well it CERTAINLY isn't mature to point out that calling someone else immature when he is, is immature. :-p
 
  • #18
fake chris, why are you still talking to like that ?
 
  • #19
Who is fake chris?
 
  • #20
well, being argumentative alos couldn't be mature. So I guess I'm out of here!
 
  • #21
Lisa! said:
well, being argumentative alos couldn't be mature. So I guess I'm out of here!


:smile: :smile: :smile:

I was only playing around!

which is immature in itself.

Anyway, back on topic. Maturity is knowing the correct way to act in the correct circumstances.
 
  • #22
Ivan Seeking said:
thoughtful, considerate, sincere...?

HONEST?
I was reflecting on the qualities of a mature or developed person. One could refer to 'mature' as meaning that one has come of a certain age, i.e. seasoned or experienced.

Thoughtfulness and consideration, as well as the capacity for critical thinking (a good point made by bomba923), come from achieving a certain level of development. I would also add the quality of discipline, which goes with the willpower also mentioned by bomba923.

Ivan Seeking said:
It would seem that you feel that there are many immature, old, business tycoons?
In some, perhaps many, cases - yes! Donald Trump comes to mind as an example.

Ivan Seeking said:
I had one employer who blatantly tried to shame me for my naivety, for being honest; and over nothing of consequence no less.
Not very mature behavior on the part of that employer.
 
  • #23
Interesting. For me, this is more a matter of choosing what kind of person one will be rather than an issue of maturity. I believe that most adults make mature decisions to be either good people, or bad people. With every choice that we make we define who and what we are.
 
  • #24
Ivan Seeking said:
Interesting. For me, this is more a matter of choosing what kind of person one will be rather than an issue of maturity. I believe that most adults make mature decisions to be either good people, or bad people. With every choice that we make we define who and what we are.
I more or less agree with that. One chooses to be what or who one is - certainly.
 
  • #25
Astronuc said:
I more or less agree with that. One chooses to be what or who one is - certainly.


However you aren't the judge of your maturity. It is other people looking at your actions and deciding for themselves.
 
  • #26
jimmy p said:
However you aren't the judge of your maturity. It is other people looking at your actions and deciding for themselves.
I am my own judge. I often reflect on how I behave, who I am in the world, and how I and my actions affect those around me and world as a whole.

Certainly, I cannot control how other people judge me, nor do I wish to do so. I would hope I am judged fairly, as I give others the benefit of doubt.

Another characteristic I would add to the list is - diligent - characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.
 
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  • #27
Thank you for your posts (all of them, whether informative or entertaining). It seems that maturity is just acting with forethought. Regardless, I'm not going to dwell on the definition anymore, as it's just a label. Useful for quick information bits or manipulation, but non-material.
 

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