Maturation
Definition
Maturation is the process of growth and development, both physically and mentally, that occurs naturally as a person ages. It's largely driven by genetics rather than learning or experience.
Analogy
Think of maturation like baking a cake. You can have all the right ingredients (genes), but it still needs time in the oven (growth over time) to become a fully formed cake. No matter how much you try to speed up the process, it takes its own sweet time.
Related terms
Physical Development: This refers to the biological changes that occur in humans between birth and adolescence, such as growth spurts and puberty.
Cognitive Development: This is the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem-solving, and decision-making from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.
Developmental Milestones: These are physical or behavioral signs of development in infants and children. They include skills like walking, talking, crawling etc.
"Maturation" appears in:
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.