The influences of the urban vs rural environment and socioeconomic status (SES) of the family on the child's success in school and on certain personality characteristics were examined. The urban sample included the children of professional, skilled, and unskilled workers from large and small towns. The rural sample consisted of 50% peasant and 50% "semi-peasant" families from two areas which differed in the proportion of peasant and "semi-peasant" population. This cross-sectional study consisted of pupils from the 4th grade (10-year-olds) and 8th grade (14-year-olds). The size and the level of urbanization of the towns did not significantly influence the pupils' achievement test scores and their personality characteristics. The pupils from peasant and semi-peasant areas also differed little in these respects. Large differences in achievement test scores, intellectual abilities, and occupational and educational aspirations were found between children in urban and rural areas. In towns, relatively large SES group differences were found in achievement test scores, intellectual abilities, occupational and educational aspirations. The differences in other personality characteristics were smaller or did not exist. SES group differences were somewhat reduced when the groups were formed of equally intelligent children. There were either small differences or no differences that were attributable to the child's sex. (Author/MV)