PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

There is a growing body of research exploring whether the opportunity to realize the genetic endowment for education varies by parental socio-economic status (G x SES). While the behavioral genetic Scarr-Rowe hy-pothesis (SRH) suggests stronger genetic effects for individuals with a high SES, the sociological compensatory advantage hypothesis (CAH) predicts weaker genetic effects. Using data from the German TwinLife survey, I estimate biometric twin models to test for a G x SES and whether it can be accounted for by SES differences in the effect of genes associated with cognitive ability. There is no G x SES for the secondary school track. For tertiary enrolment, however, there is a G x SES, in line with the CAH. While SES differences in the effect of genes associated with cognitive ability account for most of the G x SES, a small part is explained by SES differences in the effect of genes independent of cognitive ability.