The Intergenerational Transmission of Cognitive and Noncognitive Abilities

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 2017
Volume: 52
Issue: 4

Authors (3)

Erik Grönqvist (not in RePEc) Björn Öckert (not in RePEc) Jonas Vlachos (Stockholms Universitet)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study the intergenerational transmission of cognitive and noncognitive abilities using population data and correct for measurement error in abilities using two sets of instruments. The results show that previous estimates are biased downward and that once measurement error is corrected for, the correlation in noncognitive ability is close to that of cognitive ability. By considering both parents, intergenerational ability correlations account for a substantial portion of the sibling correlation. Using adoptees, we find that the social impact of maternal abilities is more important than paternal abilities. Children’s educational attainment and labor market outcomes are strongly related to parents’ cognitive and noncognitive abilities.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:52:y:2017:i:4:p:887-918
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25