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Cupid and Psyche: Cognition and the Choice of the Partner

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  • Marini, Annalisa

Abstract

The paper provides the first empirical evidence on the importance of cognition - numeric ability - in the choice of the partner. Using the British Household Panel Study Understanding Society, I estimate a structural model of marriage sorting on a representative sample of British couples. Results show that partners with similar numeric ability are attracted to each other. Cognition and physical characteristics are the most important attributes in marriage sorting. Personality traits and risk propensity are also relevant to various extents. Heterogeneous preferences across gender are found and results are robust to an alternative specification. Implications of mutual attractiveness in cognition for marriage dynamics are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Marini, Annalisa, 2017. "Cupid and Psyche: Cognition and the Choice of the Partner," MPRA Paper 99712, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:99712
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/99712/1/MPRA_paper_99712.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James P. Smith & John J. McArdle & Robert Willis, 2010. "Financial Decision Making and Cognition in a Family Context," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 120(548), pages 363-380, November.
    2. James P. Smith & John J. McArdle & Robert Willis, 2010. "Financial Decision Making and Cognition in a Family Context," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 120(548), pages 363-380, November.
    3. James Banks & Zoe Oldfield, 2007. "Understanding Pensions: Cognitive Function, Numerical Ability and Retirement Saving," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 28(2), pages 143-170, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cognition; Marriage Sorting; Personality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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