The Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Identity and Personality

A stock image of two children in black and white, with their hands outstretched and covered in multicolored paint.

Stephen Raudenbush in conversation with four conference attendees.

A room of conference attendees listening to a speaker.

Stephen Raudenbush

James Heckman, seated, in conversation with conference attendees.

Conference attendees seated at a dinner table.

Camelia Kuhnen and Joseph Kable

Conference attendees listening to a presentation.

Joseph Kable

Conference attendees smiling and clapping, while seated in the classroom.

Angela Duckworth speaking with someone who has their back turned to the camera.

Daniel Hawes

Bradley Setzler

Peter Savelyev

A presenter speaking at the front of the classroom

Dan McAdams

Two conference attendees in conversation.

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Description

This conference examined the effects of poverty and socioeconomic inequality on individuals. How does socioeconomic status affect not just cognitive development, but also the development of personality, identity, preferences and beliefs? What kind of effects does poverty have on individuals’ skills and traits that could constrain their future economic mobility? To answer these questions, the conference brought together scholars doing work in economics, sociology, and psychology.

This conference was supported by the Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago, and the Research Network on the Determinants of Life Course Capabilities and Outcomes (R24AG048081), a CEHD initiative funded by the National Institute on Aging.