Work

Effects of race and socioeconomic status on the relative influence of education and literacy on cognitive functioning

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Previous research has shown that reading ability is a stronger predictor of cognitive functioning than years of education, particularly for African Americans. The current study was designed to determine whether the relative influence of literacy and education on cognitive abilities varies as a function of race or socioeconomic status (SES). We examined the unique influence of education and reading scores on a range of cognitive tests in low- and higher-SES African Americans and Whites. Literacy significantly predicted scores on all but one cognitive measure in both African American groups and low-SES Whites, while education was not significantly associated with any cognitive measure. In contrast, both education and reading scores predicted performance on many cognitive measures in higher-SES Whites. These findings provide further evidence that reading ability better predicts cognitive functioning than years of education and suggest that disadvantages associated with racial minority status and low SES affect the relative influence of literacy and years of education on cognition.

Source: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

DOI: 10.1017/s1355617709090821

Authors: VONETTA M. DOTSON, MELISSA H. KITNER-TRIOLO, MICHELE K. EVANS, ALAN B. ZONDERMAN

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Abilities and Testing

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Cambridge, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging