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Updated: May 2, 2026

Studying the Integration of Adult-born Neurons
Published on: March 25, 2011
Understanding the Mechanisms Through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes
James Heckman1, Rodrigo Pinto2, Peter Savelyev3
1Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Public Policy, University of Chicago; Professor of Science and Society, University College Dublin; Senior Fellow, American Bar Foundation; The University of Chicago, Department of Economics, 1126 E. 59 St., Chicago, IL 60637.
Abstract:
A growing literature establishes that high quality early childhood interventions targeted toward disadvantaged children have substantial impacts on later life outcomes. Little is known about the mechanisms producing these impacts. This paper uses longitudinal data on cognitive and personality traits from an experimental evaluation of the influential Perry Preschool program to analyze the channels through which the program boosted both male and female participant outcomes. Experimentally induced changes in personality traits explain a sizable portion of adult treatment effects.
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