The Intergenerational Transmission of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Abilities

Arbeitspapier

We study the intergenerational transmission of cognitive and non-cognitive abilities between fathers and sons using population-wide enlistment data. Measurement error bias in fathers’ ability measures is corrected for using two sets of instruments. Results suggest that previous estimates of intergenerational ability correlations are biased downwards; once corrected for, the non-cognitive correlation is close to that of cognitive ability. We also predict mothers’ abilities and find the mother-son cognitive ability correlation to be stronger than the father-son correlation. Finally, educational attainment and labor market outcomes of both sons and daughters are strongly related to both parents’ cognitive and non-cognitive abilities.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IFN Working Paper ; No. 884

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Health, Education, and Welfare: General ; Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth ; Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
• Subject: Intergenerational Ability Correlations ; Cognitive Ability ; Non-Cognitive Ability ; Measurement Error Bias ; Intelligenz ; Persönlichkeitspsychologie ; Generationengerechtigkeit ; Eltern ; Mütter ; Kinder ; Jungen ; Schweden

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grönqvist, Erik ; Vlachos, Jonas ; Öckert, Björn
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN)
• (where): Stockholm
• (when): 2011

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/81316
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET