The effect of education on cognitive ability

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

Working Paper Series from Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

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.

Keywords: Cognitive ability; Education production; Return to schooling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2006-06-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-edu, nep-hrm and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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http://www.svt.ntnu.no/iso/WP/2006/9Theeffectofedu ... nitiveability_WP.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION ON COGNITIVE ABILITY (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nst:samfok:7306

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