mental age

USAGE SUMMARY

"mental age" is correct and it can be used in written English.
For example: She was a mature woman despite her young age, with a mental age far beyond her years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has a mental age of twelve.

The New Yorker

He had a mental age of 11.

The Guardian

Ashley's mental age was that of a three-month-old.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've stuck to a mental age of five," he confesses.

The Guardian - Books

His mental age is 19 (he likes to tell airport security it's his real age); my mental age is 24, which, thankfully, still gives me the upper hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She described an emaciated figure with a mental age of eight.

The Guardian

Each correct response increased his "mental age" score, and was followed by a more difficult question.

The New Yorker

And they came easily, I suppose, because my mental age is about 10.

The Guardian

"She used to call me 'Nine' because she said that was my mental age".

The New York Times

The concept of mental age fell into disfavour, however, for two apparent reasons.

Britannica

A score of 100, where the mental age equals the chronological age, is average.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mental age" in conjunction with other assessment metrics to provide a comprehensive view of an individual's abilities, as it is only one aspect of overall development.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "mental age" is the only indicator of intelligence. It represents cognitive abilities at a certain developmental stage, but doesn't capture the full spectrum of intellectual capabilities or potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental age" functions as a noun phrase representing the cognitive abilities of an individual in relation to the average abilities of individuals at a specific age. Ludwig's examples show its usage in contexts ranging from developmental psychology to legal assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mental age" is a noun phrase used to describe an individual's cognitive abilities relative to the average abilities of people at a specific chronological age. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is valuable for assessing cognitive development, it's important not to equate it with overall intelligence. Instead, consider "mental age" as one of multiple indicators of cognitive ability. When writing about this concept, provide context by comparing it to chronological age and use it in conjunction with other assessment metrics for a comprehensive view.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functional cognitive age

Focuses on the practical application of cognitive abilities in daily life.

level of cognitive functioning

Describes the current state of cognitive abilities and performance.

cognitive development stage

Replaces "age" with "stage", focusing on the developmental level of cognitive abilities.

stage of intellectual development

Similar to cognitive development stage, but focuses more specifically on intellectual growth.

developmental level

Focuses on the overall developmental progress, rather than a specific age equivalent.

assessed cognitive level

Emphasizes the evaluation and measurement of cognitive abilities.

intellectual maturity

Emphasizes the level of intellectual development achieved.

cognitive skill level

Highlights the proficiency in cognitive skills achieved by an individual.

cognitive capacity

Highlights the cognitive abilities and potential, without direct reference to age.

emotional maturity

Focuses on emotional development, rather than cognitive aspects.

FAQs

What does "mental age" mean?

The "mental age" refers to a person's cognitive ability compared to the average cognitive ability for that age group. It is often used in psychology and education to assess developmental progress.

How is "mental age" determined?

The "mental age" is typically determined through standardized psychological tests that measure cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and general knowledge. The results are then compared to the average performance of individuals at different chronological ages.

What are some alternatives to saying "mental age"?

Depending on the context, you could use "cognitive development stage", "developmental level", or "level of cognitive functioning". These phrases focus on cognitive and intellectual aspects without directly referencing age.

How is "mental age" different from chronological age?

Chronological age is the actual age of a person in years, while "mental age" reflects their cognitive abilities relative to their age group. A person can have a "mental age" that is higher or lower than their chronological age.