A new GLO Discussion Paper finds that exposure to excess temperature leads to a sizable decline in math scores.
GLO Discussion Paper No. 1278, 2023
Temperature and Low-stakes Cognitive Performance – Download PDF
by Zhang, Xin & Chen, Xi & Zhang, Xiaobo
GLO Fellow Xi Chen
Xi Chen is an Editor of the Journal of Population Economics.
Author Abstract: This paper offers one of the first evidence in a developing country context that transitory exposure to high temperatures may disrupt low-stakes cognitive activities across a range of age cohorts. By matching eight years of repeated cognitive tests among all the participants in a nationally representative longitudinal survey in China with weather data according to the exact time and geographic location of their assessment, we show that exposure to a temperature above 32 °C on the test date, relative to a moderate day within 22-24 °C, leads to a sizable decline in their math scores by 0.066 standard deviations (equivalent to 0.23 years of education). Further, the effect on the math test scores is more salient for individuals who are older or less educated.
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Journal of Population Economics (JOPE)
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Vol. 36, Issue 3, July 2023: 26 articles on: Aspirations and preferences; Environment, Weather, Climate; Family; Fertility; Historical demography; Ageing, pensions, social security; Migration
https://link.springer.com/journal/148/volumes-and-issues/36-3
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