Socioeconomic Status and Inequalities in Children’s IQ and Economic Preferences

Armin Falk, Fabian Kosse, Pia Pinger, Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch and Thomas Deckers

Journal of Political Economy, 2021, vol. 129, issue 9, 2504 - 2545

Abstract: This paper explores inequalities in IQ and economic preferences between children from families of high and low socioeconomic status (SES). We document that children from high-SES families are more intelligent, patient, and altruistic as well as less risk seeking. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we propose a framework of how SES, parental investments, as well as maternal IQ and preferences influence a child’s IQ and preferences. Our results indicate that disparities in the level of parental investments hold substantial importance. In light of the importance of IQ and preferences for behaviors and outcomes, our findings offer an explanation for social immobility.

Date: 2021
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Related works:
Working Paper: Socio-Economic Status and Inequalities in Children's IQ and Economic Preferences (2019)
Working Paper: Socio-Economic Status and Inequalities in Children\'s IQ and Economic Preferences (2019)
Working Paper: Socio-Economic Status and Inequalities in Children's IQ and Economic Preferences (2017)
Working Paper: Socio-Economic Status and Inequalities in Children's IQ and Economic Preferences (2017)
Working Paper: Socio-economic status and inequalities in children's IQ and economic preferences (2017)
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