How the genetics of cognitive and non-cognitive skills influence intergenerational social mobility

Abstract

Research on intergenerational transmission of advantage highlights the enduring influence of parental socio-economic status on offspring’s social mobility. Besides parental background, individual skills and choices significantly shape adult socio-economic position. Our study stands out on two dimensions. One, it investigates the interplay between cognitive and non-cognitive skills, social origins, genetic predispositions with a systematic focus on gender similarities and differences. Two, it explores the influence of these factors on educational attainment and also on social class destinations. We use data from the 1958 UK Birth Cohort study. Gender-specific patterns reveal women's greater direct effect of observed skills on educational attainment, contrasting with men's stronger correlations with parental status and social class. Overall, while parental socio-economic status and genetic predispositions are influential, observed skills exert a stronger impact on socio-economic outcomes, especially among men and those from higher socio-economic backgrounds.