The Contribution of Skills and Family Background to Educational Mobility1. (4th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rustichini, Aldo; Iacono, William G.; McGue, Matt
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of economics. Volume 119:Number 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 177
• Publication Date: 2016-08-04
• Subjects: Genetics -- inequality -- mobility -- soft and hard skills -- D9 -- J1 -- J24; Economics -- Periodicals; 330.05
• DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0347-0520

Abstract

Abstract: We study the role of hard and soft skills in economic performance and social mobility in a sample of twins ( N = 2, 764) from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, combining classical economic models of parental investment with a complete and realistic equilibrium model of genetic transmission of skills. Hard and soft skills have comparable roles in affecting early educational success and college attainment. We then use the information on family background to estimate the determinants of social intergenerational mobility. The transmission of personality characteristics – in particular but not exclusively of intelligence – explains a substantial fraction of upward and downward mobility of children.