A child constructs a tower of books representing non-cognitive skills, symbolizing the blend of culture and education.

Beyond the Books: How Non-Cognitive Skills Shape Success in Life and Career

Beau Callahan in Mind & Education July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the hidden link between personality, cultural values, and achieving your dreams."

In a world increasingly focused on test scores and academic achievements, it's easy to overlook the importance of the less tangible skills that truly shape our lives and careers. While cognitive abilities are undoubtedly crucial, a growing body of research highlights the profound impact of non-cognitive skills – those personality traits, social competencies, and self-management abilities that drive our behavior and influence our success.

These skills, often nurtured from childhood, encompass a range of qualities, from perseverance and self-control to social competence and civic responsibility. They're the underlying forces that propel us forward, helping us navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and achieve our goals. But how exactly do these skills develop, and what role does our cultural background play in shaping them?

A groundbreaking study delves into this very question, exploring the intergenerational transmission of non-cognitive skills and their far-reaching effects on education and employment outcomes. By examining second-generation migrants, the research uncovers the surprising influence of cultural values and inherited traits on an individual's journey to success.

The Cultural Blueprint: How Family Values Shape Essential Skills

A child constructs a tower of books representing non-cognitive skills, symbolizing the blend of culture and education.

The study, drawing on data from second-generation migrants, reveals that cultural heritage significantly impacts the formation of non-cognitive skills. These skills, including personality traits encouraged at home and inherited civic capital, affect educational and employment outcomes. For instance, individuals from cultures valuing independence may develop different skill sets compared to those from cultures prioritizing hard work and thrift.

The key findings underscore the idea that what children are taught at home profoundly affects their future success. The study looked at several factors including:

Independence vs. Conscientiousness: Those from cultures that value independence more than traits associated with conscientiousness (like hard work and thrift) often report lower educational attainment, worse occupational status, and lower wages.
Civic Capital: Individuals inheriting a strong sense of civic capital tend to achieve higher educational levels.
Cultural Values: Cultural values emphasizing hard work and thrift are linked to higher educational levels and a greater likelihood of completing college.

The research highlights that cultural values emphasizing hard work and thrift are linked to higher educational levels and a greater likelihood of completing college. The study also uses the World Values Survey (WVS) to gauge cultural attitudes toward child-rearing and civic responsibility. This survey data provides a fascinating glimpse into how different cultures prioritize various qualities in their children, ultimately influencing their development and future trajectories.

Investing in a Skillful Future: Nurturing Non-Cognitive Growth

The research underscores the need to look beyond traditional academic metrics and recognize the vital role of non-cognitive skills in shaping individual success. By understanding the cultural and familial influences that mold these skills, we can create more effective educational and developmental programs that empower individuals to reach their full potential. Nurturing qualities like perseverance, responsibility, and a strong sense of civic duty isn't just about improving test scores – it's about building a foundation for a more fulfilling and prosperous life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00148-017-0661-0, Alternate LINK

Title: The Intergenerational Transmission Of Noncognitive Skills And Their Effect On Education And Employment Outcomes

Subject: Economics and Econometrics

Journal: Journal of Population Economics

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ildefonso Mendez, Gema Zamarro

Published: 2017-08-19

Everything You Need To Know

Why are non-cognitive skills increasingly recognized as important for success?

Non-cognitive skills, which encompass personality traits, social competencies, and self-management abilities, are gaining recognition due to research highlighting their profound impact on behavior and overall success. While cognitive abilities are crucial, non-cognitive skills like perseverance, self-control, social competence, and civic responsibility help individuals navigate challenges, build relationships, and achieve goals, ultimately shaping lives and careers. These skills drive behavior and influence success which is why they are so important.

How do cultural values influence the development of non-cognitive skills?

Cultural values significantly influence the development of non-cognitive skills, as demonstrated by studies on second-generation migrants. Cultural heritage shapes personality traits and civic capital, which, in turn, affect educational and employment outcomes. For example, cultures prioritizing independence may foster different skill sets compared to those emphasizing hard work and thrift. The cultural blueprint passed down through families plays a crucial role in shaping these essential skills.

What role does 'civic capital' play in educational attainment?

Civic capital, or a strong sense of civic responsibility, plays a significant role in educational attainment. Individuals who inherit or develop a strong sense of civic capital tend to achieve higher educational levels. This suggests that a sense of community and responsibility towards society fosters an environment conducive to academic success. Civic capital is connected with the non-cognitive skills of social competence and civic responsibility, reinforcing their importance.

What is the relationship between cultural values emphasizing 'hard work and thrift' and educational success?

Cultural values emphasizing hard work and thrift are linked to higher educational levels and a greater likelihood of completing college. This suggests that a cultural emphasis on diligence and frugality instills traits conducive to academic achievement. Students from backgrounds that value these characteristics are more likely to persevere through challenges and prioritize their education. This is in comparison to 'independence' which had a correlation of lower education attainment.

How does the World Values Survey (WVS) contribute to understanding the impact of cultural values on child development?

The World Values Survey (WVS) provides insights into cultural attitudes toward child-rearing and civic responsibility, offering a glimpse into how different cultures prioritize various qualities in their children. This survey data helps researchers understand how cultural values influence the development of non-cognitive skills and future trajectories. By gauging cultural priorities, the WVS allows for comparisons between cultures and their approaches to nurturing traits like independence, conscientiousness, and civic engagement in the younger generation.