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Noncognitive Skills in Economics: Models, Measurement, and Empirical Evidence

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Author Info

  • Hendrik Thiel

    () (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

  • Stephan L. Thomsen

    () (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

Abstract

There is an increasing economic literature considering personality. This paper provides an overview on the role of these skills regarding three main aspects of economic analysis: measurement, theoretical modeling, and empirical estimates. Based on the relevant literature from different disciplines, the common psychometric measures used to assess personality are discussed. A recently proposed theoretical framework of human capital production takes personality explicitly into account. It is reviewed to clarify the understanding of crucial features of skill development. Based on these foundations, the main results of the empirical literature regarding noncognitive skills are classified along the research questions and summarized.

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File URL: http://www.ww.uni-magdeburg.de/fwwdeka/femm/a2009_Dateien/2009_37.pdf
File Function: First version, 2009
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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Economics and Management in its series FEMM Working Papers with number 09037.

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Length: 49 pages
Date of creation: Oct 2009
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:mag:wpaper:09037

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Keywords: noncognitive skills; personality; human capital formation; psychometric measures;

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References

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  1. Lex Borghans & Huub Meijers & Bas Ter Weel, 2008. "The Role Of Noncognitive Skills In Explaining Cognitive Test Scores," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 46(1), pages 2-12, 01.
  2. Hansen, Karsten T. & Heckman, James J. & Mullen, Kathleen J., 2003. "The Effect of Schooling and Ability on Achievement Test Scores," IZA Discussion Papers 826, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
  3. Borghans, Lex & Golsteyn, Bart H.H. & Heckman, James J. & Humphries, John Eric, 2011. "Identification Problems in Personality Psychology," IZA Discussion Papers 5605, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
  4. Nils Braakmann, 2009. "Psychological traits and the gender gap in full-time employment and wages: Evidence from Germany," Working Paper Series in Economics 112, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
  5. S. Kolm & Jean Mercier Ythier (ed.), 2006. "Handbook of the Economics of Giving, Altruism and Reciprocity," Handbook on the Economics of Giving, Reciprocity and Altruism, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 2, number 2.
  6. Coneus, Katja & Gernandt, Johannes & Saam, Marianne, 2009. "Noncognitive skills, school achievements and educational dropout," ZEW Discussion Papers 09-019, ZEW - Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung / Center for European Economic Research.
  7. Piatek, Rémi & Pinger, Pia, 2010. "Maintaining (Locus of) Control? Assessing the Impact of Locus of Control on Education Decisions and Wages," IZA Discussion Papers 5289, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
  8. Heineck, Guido & Anger, Silke, 2010. "The Returns to Cognitive Abilities and Personality Traits in Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles, ZBW - German National Library of Economics.
  9. Thomas DeLeire & Margo Coleman, 2000. "An Economic Model of Locus of Control and the Human Capital Investment Decision," Working Papers 0019, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago.
  10. S. Kolm & Jean Mercier Ythier (ed.), 2006. "Handbook of the Economics of Giving, Altruism and Reciprocity," Handbook on the Economics of Giving, Reciprocity and Altruism, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 1, number 1.
  11. John, Katrin & Thomsen, Stephan L., 2012. "Heterogeneous Returns to Personality - The Role of Occupational Choice," Diskussionspapiere der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Leibniz Universität Hannover dp-495, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
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Citations

Blog mentions

As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
  1. Weekly Wisdom Roundup # 57 (Weeklong Reading For The Smarter People)
    by Miguel in Simoleon Sense on 2009-12-21 02:39:20
  2. Non-cognitive skills
    by Kevin Denny in Geary Behaviour Centre on 2009-12-20 16:05:00
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Cited by:
  1. Hussey, Andrew, 2011. "The effect of ethics on labor market success: Evidence from MBAs," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 168-180.

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