Emotional maturity (both physical and mental maturity are basically physiological processes in the body and brain respectively) is extremely subjective. To say that one person is "more mature" than another, while perhaps obviously true to most observers with similar standards and experience, is still almost impossible to quantify.

Lawrence Kohlberg, an educational and psychology researcher, made one attempt in developing a system for moral development. Morality is linked closely to emotional maturity because in measuring morality one is measuring the view, understanding, and empathy one individual possesses in relation to themselves and those outside themselves. At stage one, Preconventional Morality (this is typically toddlers or very young children), the assumption is that rules are fixed, and to be followed only to avoid punishment. There is no reasoning behind these actions on the part of the children, except to gain concrete rewards or avoid concrete punishments.

Moving up the ladder of moral development, we see that increasing emphasis is given to consideration of people outside oneself, ending up at what amounts to the Categorical Imperative (people like Christ, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, etc).

Morality, and maturity, can be taught, but because they are ultimately behavioral systems of action or thought, teaching them much have a behavioral component as well. Children who are never taught to share grow into adults who are possessive and often materialistic. This is because there is a psychological reward associated with possession of an item. Without ever being shown the greater rewards of charity or selflessness, selfish behavior will continue forever, because it is self-sustaining in the reward it provides.

Maturity is best learned by exposure to very mature people, and the development of relationships with those people. Most people are (and this is a catch-22 of maturity and self-esteem) not as mature as they think they are. Extending Kohlberg slightly, the most mature people understand that there is only one obvious, right way to act, and don't spend very much time thinking about doing anything but that, so they don't generally consider their own maturity or that of others.
Source(s):
http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm

Asker's Rating:

Permalink | Report