Economic, Neurobiological and Behavioral Perspectives on Building America's Future Workforce

Eric I. Knudsen, James Heckman, Judy L. Cameron and Jack P. Shonkoff

No 12298, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: A growing proportion of the U.S. workforce will have been raised in disadvantaged environments that are associated with relatively high proportions of individuals with diminished cognitive and social skills. A cross-disciplinary examination of research in economics, developmental psychology, and neurobiology reveals a striking convergence on a set of common principles that account for the potent effects of early environment on the capacity for human skill development. Central to these principles are the findings that early experiences have a uniquely powerful influence on the development of cognitive and social skills, as well as on brain architecture and neurochemistry; that both skill development and brain maturation are hierarchical processes in which higher level functions depend on, and build on, lower level functions; and that the capacity for change in the foundations of human skill development and neural circuitry is highest earlier in life and decreases over time. These findings lead to the conclusion that the most efficient strategy for strengthening the future workforce, both economically and neurobiologically, and for improving its quality of life is to invest in the environments of disadvantaged children during the early childhood years.

JEL-codes: J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo and nep-soc
Note: ED LS
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (123)

Published as Knudsen, E., J. Heckman, J. Cameron and J. Shonkoff. “Economic, Neurobiological, and Behavioral Perspectives on Building America’s Future Workforce." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 103, 27 (July 2006): 10155-10162.
Published as Eric Knudsen & James J. Heckman & Judy Cameron & Jack P. Shonkoff, 2006. "Economic, Neurobiological and Behavioral Perspectives on Building Americaâs Future Workforce," World Economics, World Economics, Economic & Financial Publishing, PO Box 69, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, RG9 1GB, vol. 7(3), pages 17-41, July.

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Journal Article: Economic, Neurobiological and Behavioral Perspectives on Building America's Future Workforce (2006)
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