Theories of Characterization Review of Related Theories

295. It means that maturity is the ability to respond in mature ways under various circumstances and finally accept wholeheartedly his or her own life as it is. A person can achieve maturity through the adolescent experiences that make them learns from the experiences. Furthermore, Pikunas indicates the idea of maturity in the stage adolescent. Adolescent is a time for further inquiry, and questions such as “Who am I?” “What do I want to be?” and “What is the real purpose of my life?” frequently emerge in the mind of the person moving toward adult maturity. Adolescent maturation is a highly personal task, and the adolescent must deal with himself or herself to find a place in peer and and later adult society and to achieve a self-gratifying identity 1976 : 189. From the above quotation it can be seen that the most important task for adolescence is to reach maturity. According to R. Guys Lefrancois in Psychological and Human Learning, reaching maturity is “related to development which includes growth and learning as a relatively permanent change in the behavior of individual resulting from experiences” 1982: 107. Experiences that occur in adolescence stage can be in the form of conflict since “adolescence stage tends to produce a period of conflicts” Atkinson and Hilgard, 1981: 93. Sometimes they need to encounter conflict which later lead them to reach maturity as it is stated by William A. Donohue in Managing Interpersonal Conflict that “for most people, conflicts pose very grave threats and few of us want conflict or view it as an opportunity for growth” 1992: 19. Pikunas also adds that “the adolescent task of forming his identity within the family framework, yet separate from it, implies disagreements and conflicts” 1976: 288. It means that conflicts usually occur in adolescence stage and they may give contribution for adolescent to help reach maturity. There are several criteria of maturity which are described by Pikunas. They are differential responsiveness, interdependence, participative activity, in the term of application of knowledge and experience, communication of experience, sensitivity to the needs of others, ability of dealing constructively with frustration, willingness to assume adult responsibilities and perceive a moral character 1976: 300-304. a. Differential Responsiveness Pikunas states that intellectual development and, in particular, various avenues of learning enable the child and the adolescent to expand and improve his or her understanding of the many realities of life, their dimensions, and their relationships. Moreover, accumulation of a variety of experience and knowledge represents a capital gain for feelings of adequacy and self-reliance. Maturity of response in various situations depends on previous experience and the range of one’s information pertaining to each situation. b. Interdependence Pikunas states that in approaching maturity, the adolescent must break away from dependence on the peer group in particular and “peer culture” in general in order to integrate himself into adult society and culture as a self-reliant individual. It means that in this case, the main point is not becoming a fully independent individual but more on self-realization of becoming self-reliant individual. c. Participative Activity According to Pikunas, a mature adult is able to act on his or her initiative, set goals, and involve the whole person in activities. Self-knowledge, active engagement of abilities, and experimentation with one’s potential can help the person to mold himself or herself to an appropriate model. d. Application of Knowledge and Experience Application of knowledge and experience are done through constant self- examination and self-evaluate which are necessary to improve discrimination in terms of what is worth knowing and how to apply knowledge. Mature person treats his or her previous experiences and knowledge as sources of learning therefore he or she will use his or her self-examination and self-evaluate to gain his or her appropriate decision in life. e. Communication of Experience Pikunas describes that the ability to relate experiences satisfactorily, especially significant experiences can enhance personal adequacy and adjustment. It means that mature person is able to communicate his or her experiences and needs with others. f. Sensitivity to the Needs of Others According to Pikunas, a mature person attains a level of control that permits constant service to the needs of others.