Effects of Childhood Peers on Personality Traits

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Feng, Shuaizhang; Kim, Jun Hyung; Yang, Zhe
• 署名单位: University of Jinan; Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST); Liaoning University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/732770
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: PARENTAL MIGRATION; urban migration; CHINA EVIDENCE; classroom; CHILDREN; outcomes; IMPACT; skills; remittances; education

摘要

Do peers in childhood influence the development of noncognitive skills? Despite a large literature on peer effects, this question remains largely unanswered. In this paper, we use Big Five Inventory measures of personality traits linked to the administrative records of children randomly assigned to primary school classrooms. We find that children exposed to left-behind classmates whose parents have temporarily migrated away for work become less conscientious, agreeable, and emotionally stable. These impacts mirror the traits of their left-behind peers with whom children become friends.