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Peers Affect Personality Development

Author

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  • Shan, Xiaoyue
  • Zölitz, Ulf

Abstract

Do the people around us influence our personality? To answer this question, we conduct an experiment with 543 university students who we randomly assign to study groups. Our results show that students become more similar to their peers along several dimensions. Students with more competitive peers become more competitive, students with more open-minded peers become more open-minded, and students with more conscientious peers become more conscientious. We see no significant effects of peers’ extraversion, agreeableness, or neuroticism. To explain these results, we propose a simple model of personality development under the influence of peers. Consistent with the model’s prediction, personality spillovers are concentrated in traits predictive of performance. Students adopt personality traits that are productive in the university context from their peers. Our findings highlight that socialization with peers can influence personality development.

Suggested Citation

  • Shan, Xiaoyue & Zölitz, Ulf, 2022. "Peers Affect Personality Development," CEPR Discussion Papers 17241, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17241
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    Cited by:

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    2. Li, Li & Zhao, Liqiu, 2022. "Does a “bad apple” spoil the bunch? The impact of low-achieving students on non-cognitive outcomes," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Adamopoulou, Effrosyni & Cao, Yaming & Kaya, Ezgi, 2024. "Gritty Peers," IZA Discussion Papers 17446, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. van Lent, Max, 2025. "Peer creativity and academic achievement," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    5. Adam Ayaita, 2022. "Does Money Change Who You Are? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Wage Increases on Personality," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1170, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    6. Mallika Thomas, 2024. "Effects of Peer Groups on the Gender-Wage Gap and Life After the MBA: Evidence from the Random Assignment of MBA Peers," Upjohn Working Papers 24-402, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    7. Ayaita, Adam, 2022. "Does Money Change Who You Are? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Wage Increases on Personality," EconStor Preprints 256931, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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