Self-assessment: The role of the social environment

Abstract

This study presents evidence on the role of the social environment in shaping the accuracy of self-assessment. We introduce a new measurement tool to elicit children’s accuracy of self-assessment. We use this tool to show that children from high SES families are more accurate in their self-assessment, compared to children from low SES families. We then exploit exogenous variation of participation in a mentoring program designed to enrich the social environment of children. The mentoring program has a causal positive effect on the accuracy of self-assessments and is most effective for children whose parents provide few interactive activities.