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Human Development, Social Interactions, and Identity Formation

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  • Avner Seror

    (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper presents a general theory of child development that incorporates interactive learning and identity formation in social interactions with caregivers. The model sheds light on many puzzling aspects of child development. Child learning responds nonmonotonically to caregivers' attention and approval in social interactions. I highlight key parental characteristics associated with child learning, and identity formation. The theory also explains why media devices widen human inequality. Lessons are finally drawn for the design of policies that alleviate human inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Avner Seror, 2019. "Human Development, Social Interactions, and Identity Formation," Working Papers halshs-02296082, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-02296082
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02296082
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    Cited by:

    1. Hélène Le Forner, 2021. "Formation of Children’s Cognitive and Socio-Emotional Skills: Is All Parental Time Equal?," AMSE Working Papers 2117, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.
    2. Lukas Kiessling & Shyamal Chowdhury & Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch & Matthias Sutter, 2021. "Parental Paternalism and Patience," CESifo Working Paper Series 8829, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    human development; human inequality; social interactions; identity; parenting; learning; intergenerational transmission; media;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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