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Noncognitive Skills at the Time of COVID-19: An Experiment with Professional Traders and Students

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  • Angrisani, Marco
  • Cipriani, Marco
  • Guarino, Antonio
  • Kendall, Ryan
  • Ortiz de Zarate Pina, Julen

Abstract

We study the stability of non-cognitive skills by comparing experimental data gathered before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a sample of professional traders, we find a significant decrease in Agreeableness and Locus of Control and a moderate decrease in Grit. These patterns are primarily driven by those with more negative experiences of the pandemic. Other skills, such as Trust, Conscientiousness, and Self-Monitoring, are unchanged. We contrast these results with those from a sample of undergraduate students whose non-cognitive skills remain constant (except Conscientiousness). Our findings provide evidence against the stability of some non-cognitive skills, particularly among professional traders.

Suggested Citation

  • Angrisani, Marco & Cipriani, Marco & Guarino, Antonio & Kendall, Ryan & Ortiz de Zarate Pina, Julen, 2023. "Noncognitive Skills at the Time of COVID-19: An Experiment with Professional Traders and Students," CEPR Discussion Papers 17968, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17968
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Experiments; Noncognitive skills; professional traders;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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