In the context of developmental psychology, what does the term "mental age" refer to?

• A. The level of intellectual functioning typically associated with a particular chronological age, as determined by standardized intelligence tests
• B. The emotional maturity level of a person compared to their peers
• C. The actual age of an individual measured in years since birth
• D. The age at which a person first begins formal education

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that 'mental age' is a concept used in developmental psychology to describe a person's intellectual functioning level.
2. Recognize that mental age is determined by standardized intelligence tests, which assess cognitive abilities and compare them to average performance at different ages.
3. Note that mental age reflects the level of intellectual functioning typically associated with a particular chronological age, not the actual age or emotional maturity.
4. Differentiate mental age from chronological age, which is the actual number of years since birth, and from emotional maturity, which relates to emotional development.
5. Conclude that mental age indicates how a person's intellectual abilities compare to the average abilities of individuals at a specific chronological age.