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Research ArticleArticles
Open Access

High-Ability Influencers? The Heterogeneous Effects of Gifted Classmates

Simone Balestra, Aurélien Sallin and Stefan C. Wolter
Published online before print February 10, 2021, 0920-11170R1; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.58.4.0920-11170R1
Simone Balestra
aSimone Balestra is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of St. Gallen
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Aurélien Sallin
bAurélien Sallin is a doctoral student at the University of St. Gallen
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Stefan C. Wolter
cStefan C. Wolter is a professor of economics at the University of Bern
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Abstract

We study the causal impact of intellectually gifted students on their nongifted classmates’ school achievement, enrollment in post-compulsory education, and occupational choices. Using student-level administrative and psychological data, we find a positive effect of exposure to gifted students on peers’ school achievement in both math and language. This impact is heterogeneous: larger effects are observed among male students and high achievers; female students benefit primarily from female gifted students; effects are driven by gifted students not diagnosed with emotional or behavioral disorders. Exposure to gifted students increases the likelihood of choosing a selective academic track and occupations in STEM fields.

JEL Codes:
  • I21
  • I24
  • I26
  • J24

This open access article is distributed under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) and is freely available online at: http://jhr.uwpress.org

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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High-Ability Influencers? The Heterogeneous Effects of Gifted Classmates
Simone Balestra, Aurélien Sallin, Stefan C. Wolter
Journal of Human Resources Feb 2021, 0920-11170R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.58.4.0920-11170R1

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High-Ability Influencers? The Heterogeneous Effects of Gifted Classmates
Simone Balestra, Aurélien Sallin, Stefan C. Wolter
Journal of Human Resources Feb 2021, 0920-11170R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.58.4.0920-11170R1
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Keywords

  • I21
  • I24
  • I26
  • J24
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