The School of Economics invites you to an applied seminar by Daniel A. Kamhöfer (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf).

Self-Control: Determinants Life Outcomes and Intergenerational Implications

Co-authors: 

Deborah A. Cobb-Clark (University of Sydney), Sarah C. Dahmann (University of Sydney) and Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf)

Abstract

This paper studies self-control in a nationally representative sample. Using the well-established Tangney scale to measure trait self-control, we find that people’s age as well as the political and economic institutions they are exposed to have an economically meaningful impact on their level of self-control. A higher degree of self-control is, in turn, associated with better health, educational and labor market outcomes as well as greater financial and overall well-being. Parents’ self-control is linked to reduced behavioral problems among their children. Importantly, we demonstrate that self-control is a key behavioral economic construct which adds significant explanatory power beyond other more commonly studied personality traits and economic preference parameters. Our results suggest that self-control is potentially a good target for intervention policies.