TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Schurer, Stefanie
AU  - New, Sonja C. de
AU  - Leung, Felix
        TI  - Do Universities Shape Their Students' Personality?
        PY  - 2015/Feb/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 8873
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp8873
        AB  - We investigate whether universities select by, or also shape, their students' personality, as implied by the human capital investment model. Using a nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents followed over eight years, we find that youth conscientiousness, internal locus of control, and low extraversion strongly predict the probability of obtaining a university degree. However, university education does not shape those personality traits associated with a strong work ethic and intellect. Yet, it offsets a general decline in extraversion as individuals age and boosts the development of agreeableness for men from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our findings contribute to the discussion whether universities should teach their students broader skills.
        KW  - psychic cost
KW  - Big-Five personality traits
KW  - university education
KW  - inequality
KW  - change in personality
        ER  -