Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Be More MatureCharacteristicsBenefitsPotential Pitfalls of Being Immature

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

How to Be More Mature

Characteristics

Benefits

Potential Pitfalls of Being Immature

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If someone has accused you ofbeing immature, or told you to “grow up,” you may find yourself wondering how you can be more mature.

People who are mature are able tocontrol their emotions, respond appropriately to situations, and behave like an adult while dealing with others.

This article explores some of the characteristics of mature people, the benefits of this trait, and some steps you can take to be more mature.

These are some steps you can take to be more mature, according toSabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, and professor at Yeshiva University.

How Gratitude Makes You Happier

Characteristics of Mature People

These are some of the characteristics of mature people, compared to those of immature people.

Mature PeopleThoughtfulResponsibleReliableRespectfulHumbleCommittedConsiderateGratefulIndependentImmature PeopleInconsiderateRecklessErraticRudeArrogantImpulsiveSelf-absorbedThanklessDependent on others

Mature PeopleThoughtfulResponsibleReliableRespectfulHumbleCommittedConsiderateGratefulIndependent

Thoughtful

Responsible

Reliable

Respectful

Humble

Committed

Considerate

Grateful

Independent

Immature PeopleInconsiderateRecklessErraticRudeArrogantImpulsiveSelf-absorbedThanklessDependent on others

Inconsiderate

Reckless

Erratic

Rude

Arrogant

Impulsive

Self-absorbed

Thankless

Dependent on others

Benefits of Being Mature

These are some of the benefits of being more mature, according to Dr. Romanoff:

Sabrina Romanoff, PsyDAs you become more mature, you will start to be more attuned to your needs, your identity, and what you truly want.

Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD

As you become more mature, you will start to be more attuned to your needs, your identity, and what you truly want.

These are some of the potential pitfalls of being immature, according to Dr. Romanoff:

Sabrina Romanoff, PsyDThe biggest pitfall of being immature is that you tend to be your own worst enemy,sabotaging yourselfand getting in the way of achieving the things you really want.

The biggest pitfall of being immature is that you tend to be your own worst enemy,sabotaging yourselfand getting in the way of achieving the things you really want.

Takeaway

Being mature doesn’t have to mean that you have to be serious all the time, or that you can’thave funor be silly from time-to-time. However, maturity means you are able to determine what type of behavior is and isn’t appropriate for every situation.

How to Be a Better Person

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bhagat V, Haque M, Bin Abu Bakar YI, Husain R, Khairi CM.Emotional maturity of medical students impacting their adult learning skills.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2016;7:575-584. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S117915Icenogle G, Steinberg L, Duell N, et al.Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a “maturity gap” in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.Law Hum Behav. 2019;43(1):69-85. doi:10.1037/lhb0000315

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bhagat V, Haque M, Bin Abu Bakar YI, Husain R, Khairi CM.Emotional maturity of medical students impacting their adult learning skills.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2016;7:575-584. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S117915Icenogle G, Steinberg L, Duell N, et al.Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a “maturity gap” in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.Law Hum Behav. 2019;43(1):69-85. doi:10.1037/lhb0000315

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Bhagat V, Haque M, Bin Abu Bakar YI, Husain R, Khairi CM.Emotional maturity of medical students impacting their adult learning skills.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2016;7:575-584. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S117915Icenogle G, Steinberg L, Duell N, et al.Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a “maturity gap” in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.Law Hum Behav. 2019;43(1):69-85. doi:10.1037/lhb0000315

Bhagat V, Haque M, Bin Abu Bakar YI, Husain R, Khairi CM.Emotional maturity of medical students impacting their adult learning skills.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2016;7:575-584. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S117915

Icenogle G, Steinberg L, Duell N, et al.Adolescents' cognitive capacity reaches adult levels prior to their psychosocial maturity: Evidence for a “maturity gap” in a multinational, cross-sectional sample.Law Hum Behav. 2019;43(1):69-85. doi:10.1037/lhb0000315

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