Intelligence,Childhood Behaviour, and Locus of Control: Effects on Intergenerational Social Mobiliy.

Abstract

In a sample of 3,788 men from the British Cohort Study 1970, predictors of intergenerational social mobility were examined. Logistic regression models confirmed previous research outcomes: parental social class, intelligence, and educational qualifications significantly contributed to status attainment at the age of 30. In addition, childhood behavioural disturbance, extracted from teacher ratings at children’s age of 10, and locus of control were identified as influential factors. Subsequently, a structural equation model was fitted, which extends pervious findings. Locus of control and behavioural disturbance mediated effects of intelligence on education and status attainment. However, both predictors were less affected by parental social class. Overall, educational qualifications were most predictive of social mobility, mediating effects of parental social class, intelligence, locus of control and childhood behaviour on own social class at age 30.