The Happiness of Economists: Estimating the Causal Effect of Studying Economics on Subjective Well-Being
24 Pages Posted: 25 Feb 2010 Last revised: 18 Aug 2014
Date Written: August 2014
Abstract
This is the first paper that studies the causal effect of studying economics on subjective well being. Based on a survey among 918 students of economics and other social sciences, we estimate the effects of studying in the different fields on individual life satisfaction. Controlling for personal characteristics we apply innovative instrumental variable methods developed in labor and conflict economics. We find a positive relationship between the study of economics and individual well-being. Additionally, we also find that income, future job chances, and political attitudes are the most important drivers of happiness for participants of our survey.
Keywords: Happiness, Economists, Students
JEL Classification: A11, A13, I21, I31
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Recommended Papers
-
By Nancy Buchan, Eric J. Johnson, ...
-
Selfish and Indoctrinated Economists?
By Bruno S. Frey and Stephan Meier
-
Personal Value Priorities of Economists
By Neil Gandal, Sonia Roccas, ...
-
Political Economists are Neither Selfish Nor Indoctrinated
By Bruno S. Frey and Stephan Meier
-
Good Neighbours/Bad Citizens: Personal Value Priorities of Economists
By Neil Gandal and Sonia Roccas
-
Not Guilty? Another Look at the Nature and Nurture of Economics Students
By Justus Haucap and Tobias Just
-
Do Business Students Make Good Citizens?
By Stephan Meier and Bruno S. Frey
-
Social Distance in a Virtual World Experiment
By Marina Fiedler, Ernan Haruvy, ...
-
Social Distance in a Virtual World Experiment
By Marina Fiedler, Ernan Haruvy, ...