Sex Differences in Psychological Differentiation among Different Cultural Groups

Abstract

Prediction made regarding sex differences in psychological differentiation within the general framework of eco-cultural perspective that male-female stylistic differences would be minimal in nomadic groups and with sedentarization they would get consistent was tested in four cultural groups, viz., nomadic Birhors, transitional sedentary Birhors, agricultural Oraons, and sedentarized urban school children. Results indicated that sex differences in cognitive style did not occur consistently among less acculturated nomadic groups. Contrary to the prediction, male-female differences were small and insignificant among the transitional Birhors and agricultural Oraons. Urban boys were, however, significantly higher on field independence than girls. The findings are explained in terms of differences in nature of socialization and sex-role specialization in the groups studied.