The effect of education on cognitive ability

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The effect of education on cognitive ability

Author Info

Torberg Falch () (Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
Sofia Sandgren () (Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

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Torberg Falch

Abstract

We analyze whether the amount of schooling influences intelligence as measured by IQ tests. By use of a novel longitudinal dataset we are able to condition on early cognitive ability to account for selection into non-compulsory schooling when estimating the effect on cognitive ability at age 20. OLS estimates indicate that one year of schooling increases IQ by 2.8-3.5 points (about 0.2 standard deviations). When family income per family member and teacher evaluations of the individuals at age 10 are used as instruments for schooling and early cognitive ability, the return to schooling is estimated to 3.5-3.8 IQ points.

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Paper provided by Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology in its series Working Paper Series with number 7306.

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Length: 32 pages
Date of creation: 10 Jun 2006
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Handle: RePEc:nst:samfok:7306

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2006-07-09 (All new papers)
NEP-CBE-2006-07-09 (Cognitive & Behavioural Economics)
NEP-EDU-2006-07-09 (Education)
NEP-URE-2006-07-09 (Urban & Real Estate Economics)

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