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Abstract

The study examines the influence of socialization practices on psychological differentiation in relation to sex, age and urban-rural differences. The sample consisted of 1:20 children, 60 girls and 60 boys of three age groups; 8 years, 11 years and 14 years, belonging to both urban and rural areas. Children's Embedded Figures Test (CEFT) was individually administered to the children as a measure of psychological differentiation. The socialization practices were assessed through interview with the children. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of sex, age and area upon CEFT test scores and socialization. The find­ings indicate that there are no significant sex differences in psy­chological differentiation, whereas, there is a significant dif­ference between urban and rural children and among children of different age groups. The findings also suggest that different aspects of socialization like encouragement, punishment, restric­tion and discipline play an important role in the development of psychological differentiation. Lack of sex differences is discussed in terms of socialization practices.