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Non-cognitive peer effects in secondary education

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  • Shure, Nikki

Abstract

The peer effects literature has established that peers impact each other in the classroom through academic achievement and cognitive ability, but has not explored many alternative channels. This paper examines how the non-cognitive traits of peers in the classroom impact an individual’s learning outcomes. I estimate a linear-in-means model and alternative models of peer effects with additional peer effects terms accounting for “Big Five” personality traits. Controlling for selection into schools, cognitive and non-cognitive ability, and family background, there is a significant, positive relationship between average peer conscientiousness and individual academic performance of the order of a 0.15 standard deviation increase in math scores and a 0.12 standard deviation increase in language scores. This is the first evidence relating non-cognitive traits to peer effects in secondary school and lends support for programs in schools targeting the development of non-cognitive skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Shure, Nikki, 2021. "Non-cognitive peer effects in secondary education," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:73:y:2021:i:c:s0927537121001093
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2021.102074
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    Cited by:

    1. Adamecz, Anna & Jerrim, John & Pingault, Jean-Baptiste & Shure, Nikki, 2023. "Overconfident Boys: The Gender Gap in Mathematics Self-Assessment," IZA Discussion Papers 16180, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Claudio Schilter & Samuel Luethi & Stefan C. Wolter, 2024. "Competitive Peers: The Way to Higher Paying Jobs?," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0228, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    3. Bietenbeck, Jan, 2020. "Own Motivation, Peer Motivation, and Educational Success," IZA Discussion Papers 13872, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Adamopoulou, Effrosyni & Kaya, Ezgi, 2024. "Beautiful inside and out: Peer characteristics and academic performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 507-532.
    5. Lao, Yehui, 2023. "The more male classmates, the worse: How male peers harm academic performance of a student," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    6. Su, Yaqin (Joyce) & Xia, Anping & Gong, Da & Yan, Andong, 2024. "The impact of zero-COVID policies on academic performance: Evidence from primary and secondary students in China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    7. Adamopoulou, Effrosyni & Cao, Yaming & Kaya, Ezgi, 2024. "Gritty Peers," IZA Discussion Papers 17446, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational attainment; Non-cognitive skills; Peer effects; Personality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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