SOCIAL MATURITY IN THE AMERICAN ADOLESCENT IS DEFINED AS THAT PERIOD SOMEWHERE BETWEEN CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ACHIEVED THE ABILITY TO TOLERATE AND ADJUST TO FRUSTRATION WITHOUT STRESS WHILE ACHIEVING ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE, A TOLERANT OUTLOOK, AND A SATISFACTORY LIFE PHILOSOPHY. THE MEASURES OF SOCIAL MATURITY OF THE ADOLESCENT HAVE BEEN LARGELY BASED UPON THE MIDDLE-CLASS, WHITE, AMERICAN POPULATION WITH LITTLE EMPHASIS UPON CONTRASTS BETWEEN URBAN, RURAL, AND SMALL-TOWN ADOLESCENTS BY SOCIAL CLASSES. THE METHODS OF STUDYING ADOLESCENCE HAVE BEEN RATING TECHNIQUES (INVENTORIES, QUESTIONNAIRES, AND SCALES), SELF-REPORTING TECHNIQUES, ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDIES, CLINICAL STUDIES, AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS. BEFORE THIS AREA OF ADOLESCENT SOCIAL MATURITY CAN BE FURTHER EXPLORED, WE MUST KNOW MORE ABOUT ADOLESCENT SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, INTERESTS, PROBLEMS, AND DEVELOPMENTS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN PERSONNEL AND GUIDANCE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION (DALLAS, MARCH 20, 1967). (RL)