The present research examined the influence of sex and age on self-touching behavior in children aged 4, 5, and 6 years. Observations of 160 children (80 boys and 80 girls) in free play-settings showed that the number of gestures satisfying the need of comfort were considerably lower for older children, and the “defensive” patterns were remarkably more frequent in boys than in girls. The other kinds of movements such as self-comfort gestures, building body image and self-presentation yielded no significant difference between the sexes.
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