Pubertal maturation and cognitive maturity in adolescents

Abstract To determination the relationship between puberty and cognitive development, 135 students, ages 11 through 19 years, were studied. The participants were 73% white, 55% female, and of predominantly middle-class backgrounds with a mean Hollingshead score of 37.1 ± 16.3. Measures of general intelligence (IQ), cognitive complexity (conceptual level), and cognitive style (perceptual field dependence-independence) were administered. Students rated their own level of sexual maturity (Tanner stage). Mean Tanner stage of 4.0 ± 0.9 was consistent with the mean age of 14.2 ± 2.2 years. General intelligence was average (105 ± 18.2). Most did not demonstrate the use of mature cognitive processes, as reflected in low conceptual level scores (1.19 ± 0.5) and a more field-dependent cognitive style (7.9 ± 4.9). Older adolescents ( r = 0.377; p r = 0.217; p r = 0.329; p p