Whether a nine-year-old is better at words or math can predict their interest in politics ten years later.
March 19, 2026
Original Paper
Words over Numbers: Childhood Cognitive Skills and Politics in Adulthood
SocArXiv · 65sqx_v1
The Takeaway
Using longitudinal data, this paper shows that children with relatively stronger verbal skills at age 9 are significantly more likely to be interested in politics and concerned about social justice issues (like racism and gender inequality) by age 20. This cognitive profile predicts adult political leanings even after accounting for later education levels.
From the abstract
This paper examines how different types of cognitive skills in childhood influence political interest and concerns about sociopolitical issues in early adulthood. Using longitudinal data from the Growing Up in Ireland study, I distinguish between verbal and analytical skills measured at age 9, showing that children with relatively stronger verbal skills display greater political interest and concern about social issues, such as racism or gender inequality, at age 20. Using g-sequential estimatio