Height as a Proxy for Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Ability

35 Pages Posted: 6 Dec 2010 Last revised: 12 Apr 2023

See all articles by Andreas Schick

Andreas Schick

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Richard H. Steckel

Ohio State University (OSU) - Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: December 2010

Abstract

Taller workers receive a substantial wage premium. Studies extending back to the middle of the last century attribute the premium to non-cognitive abilities, which are associated with stature and rewarded in the labor market. More recent research argues that cognitive abilities explain the stature-wage relationship. This paper reconciles the competing views by recognizing that net nutrition, a major determinant of adult height, is integral to our cognitive and non-cognitive development. Using data from Britain's National Childhood Development Study (NCDS), we show that taller children have higher average cognitive and non-cognitive test scores, and that each aptitude accounts for a substantial and roughly equal portion of the stature premium. Together these abilities explain why taller people have higher wages.

Suggested Citation

Schick, Andreas and Steckel, Richard H., Height as a Proxy for Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Ability (December 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16570, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1719930

Andreas Schick (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Richard H. Steckel

Ohio State University (OSU) - Economics ( email )

1945 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43210-1172
United States
614-292-5008 (Phone)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
62
Abstract Views
663
Rank
633,143
PlumX Metrics