Seminar Vol. 154

Title: The Long Run Impact of Education on Non-cognitive Outcomes

Speaker: Jie Chen, National University of Singapore

Time: May 10th, 2019 15:00–16:15

Venue: Conference Room 106B, Zhonghui Building (IESR, JNU College of Economics)

About the speaker:

Jie Chen is an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. She received a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University in 2012. Her main fields of interests are development economics, applied econometrics and economic inequality. Jie Chen has many of her works published in such journals as Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, and Economic Papers: A Journal of Applied Economics and Policy.

Abstract:

In this paper we estimate the causal relationship between schooling and non-cognitive outcomes in later life. We exploit two exogenous changes in education policy in China and Indonesia and estimate the effect of schooling on non-cognitive outcomes as measured by the Locus of Control, social abilities, self-beliefs and big five personality traits. We employ Regression Probability Jump and Kink Design (RPJK) for identification. Our results indicate that schooling leads to a less Internal Locus of Control, and makes individuals more conscientious, open and extroverted. The effect of schooling on these non-cognitive outcomes can explain significant variation in returns to schooling on the labor market.