What Number Matches Your Psychological Age?

By: Jennifer Post

5 Min Quiz

Image: Tara Moore/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Your chronological age doesn't mean that much when you really think about it. All it means is that you were born at a certain time and have aged a certain number of years since. It has no bearing on how mature you are, the life experience you have, and even how smart you are. People develop at all different chronological ages, and people also work through different psychological ages differently.

The study of psychology puts numbers on life stages, more so than specific ages. This is done because within each life stage is a range of ages that is unspecified. This means that you could be in a life range number vastly different than where you should be based on your chronological age.

When you think about the life stages that are assigned numbers, it's kind of crazy. You learn to drive when you're 16, you go to college when your 18, you can drink at 21, and head into your career after that. That puts so much pressure on human beings to do things they might not be ready to do, or have to wait to do things they feel they could accomplish way earlier. Take this quiz to find out what number matches your psychological age!

At what age did you feel like you became an adult?

16

45
30

21

Do you think age is just a number?

I think it can help guide people in the right direction.

Age means nothing.
Age is stressful.

I think age is an illusion.

When people ask you how old you are, do you tell them your real age?

Yes, who cares?

I try not to give any age because it doesn't matter.
I'm still young, so yes.

I'm proud of my accomplishments, so yes.

Do you think that older people are automatically wiser?

Not at all

They tend to have more life experience
Not always, but it can happen

I do actually

When did you first consciously realize the world?

I don't think I have yet

About the time I could talk
Probably in school

When I traveled outside of my home country for the first time

Where did you think you would be at the age you are now?

Married

Retired
With kids

In a career job

Why do you think people put so much pressure on themselves to be at certain life stages?

Because it's engrained in us at human beings

Because the majority of people are
Society mostly

I think it's all for someone else's financial gain

Who is closest to your age that is at a completely different life stage than you?

My best friend

The other people I work with
All of my parents' friends' kids apparently

I try not to pay attention

Do you find yourself comparing your accomplishments to others?

All the time

I'm too old for that
I try not to, but it happens

I am finally in a place where I don't care what others think.

How do you deal with people telling you that you're either too old or too young to do something?

I try to hide the disgust on my face

I recognize that it might be true
I tend to second guess myself

I don't let anyone tell me what I'm too old or young for.

Where do you stand politically?

I consider myself right in the middle.

I don't bother talking about it.
It honestly changes every day.

I don't get too involved other than what I see on the news.

Technology advances almost every day, it seems. Do you use it much?

I really try my best

I don't understand it
Way too much

I use what I need to

How well would you say your style fits the persona you want to display?

I don't think style makes a huge difference.

I just wear what's comfortable.
I dress for the life I want, not the life I have.

Very well, as I've curated every piece of my wardrobe.

Are you forgetful?

My mind is super sharp.

That is one thing age isn't good for.
Unfortunately. I take after my mother.

Only things are non-essential.

Is it important to you to treat customer service workers well?

Being nice to them could turn their whole day around

It's their job to serve me
I've worked in customer service, so incredibly important

I tip them well

Have you prepared for retirement?

I still have time

I didn't plan enough
I've been thinking about it

I think I'm just gonna wing it

When you sit down to watch some tv, why type of show are you putting on?

A sitcom

The news
Courtroom drama

Jeopardy

Whether you're dating, married or something else, what is your idea of the perfect date?

Drinks then a late dinner

Dinner
Cooking at home together followed by snuggles and a movie

A double date with our closest friends

Having money is great, though not necessary to a full life. If you did have unlimited funds, what would you do?

Travel

Throw a big party
Pay off my loans

Buy a vacation house

What does the phrase "spice of life" mean to you?

Doing something different every day

Eating something spicy
Taking big risks

Going where no man has dared go before

If you were approaching, or feeling like you were approaching, a mid-life crisis, what would your big purchase be?

A sports car

New furniture
Expensive clothing

Life insurance

Do you understand a lot of the celebrities these days?

I really try

I do not and I'm okay with that
Most of them

Ones that do things I'm interested in

When it comes to having kids, when is the right time?

Whenever you are financially stable

18
There really is no "right" time

Definitely before 30

Careers are nice, but are they everything?

Not everything, but they are very important

A career is the most important thing someone can have.
No, living life is more important

You're lucky if you have your "career" before you're 40.

Is there a hobby you love that doesn't necessarily match your chronological age?

Making music

Organizing
Needle-point

Cooking

If there was a time of day that fit your personality, what time would it be?

12pm

8pm
9am

3pm

How would someone who's only known your for 5 minutes describe you?

Put together

Wise
Naive

Young at heart

Did you fit in well with other kids your age?

Fairly well

I get along with mostly everyone
Kids are mean

I think so!

Could you survive being your age in the early 1900s?

I'd give it one heck of a try!

I think I'd be dead already.
I really don't think I could.

I have faith that I could.

If you could be any age, what age would you be?

40

50
18

30

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!