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Do early life cognitive ability and self-regulation skills explain socio-economic inequalities in academic achievement? An effect decomposition analysis in UK and Australian cohorts

Author

Listed:
  • Pearce, Anna
  • Sawyer, Alyssa C.P.
  • Chittleborough, Catherine R.
  • Mittinty, Murthy N.
  • Law, Catherine
  • Lynch, John W.

Abstract

Socio-economic inequalities in academic achievement emerge early in life and are observed across the globe. Cognitive ability and “non-cognitive” attributes (such as self-regulation) are the focus of many early years’ interventions. Despite this, little research has compared the contributions of early cognitive and self-regulation abilities as separate pathways to inequalities in academic achievement. We examined this in two nationally representative cohorts in the UK (Millennium Cohort Study, n = 11,168; 61% original cohort) and Australia (LSAC, n = 3028; 59% original cohort).

Suggested Citation

  • Pearce, Anna & Sawyer, Alyssa C.P. & Chittleborough, Catherine R. & Mittinty, Murthy N. & Law, Catherine & Lynch, John W., 2016. "Do early life cognitive ability and self-regulation skills explain socio-economic inequalities in academic achievement? An effect decomposition analysis in UK and Australian cohorts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 108-118.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:165:y:2016:i:c:p:108-118
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.07.016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James Heckman & Flavio Cunha, 2007. "The Technology of Skill Formation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(2), pages 31-47, May.
    2. Kautz, Tim & Heckman, James J. & Diris, Ron & ter Weel, Bas & Borghans, Lex, 2014. "Fostering and Measuring Skills: Improving Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills to Promote Lifetime Success," IZA Discussion Papers 8696, IZA Network @ LISER.
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    8. Lorraine Dearden & Luke Sibieta & Kathy Sylva, 2011. "The socio-economic gradient in early child outcomes: evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study," IFS Working Papers W11/03, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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    2. Paulus, Lena & Spinath, Frank M. & Hahn, Elisabeth, 2025. "How socioeconomic status affects a child's education – Investigating objective and subjective factors involved in shaping educational success in Germany," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    3. Sohn, Byoungduk & Buchanan, Ann & Heo, Kay H. & Lee, Jane J., 2019. "Explanatory effects of young childhood caregiving environment, child’s pro-social behavior, and child self-regulation skills on adolescent problem behavior," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 298-303.
    4. Paterson, Molly & Parasnis, Jaai & Rendall, Michelle, 2022. "Gender, Income, and Numeracy Test Scores," CEPR Discussion Papers 16895, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Paterson, Molly, 2021. "Gender and Disadvantage in the Evolution of Test Score Gaps," Warwick-Monash Economics Student Papers 06, Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.

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