From Learning to Knowing: A Psychological-Neurological Approach to Explain the Human Capital Formation Process

Tamilina, Larysa and Tamilina, Natalya (2013): From Learning to Knowing: A Psychological-Neurological Approach to Explain the Human Capital Formation Process. Published in: Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics , Vol. 1&2, No. 25 (2013): pp. 1-40.

Abstract

By drawing on neurological and psychological theories of learning, our study introduces a new conceptual framework to analyse the role learning plays in knowledge and skill acquisition. Learning is modelled through four mechanisms defined as individuals' participation in formal, non-formal, and informal learning, as well as learning-by-doing. Our analysis suggests heterogeneity in how various learning mechanisms affect individuals' overall stock of knowledge and skills. Additionally, the proposed analytical framework points to the existence of an optimal sequence in which different learning forms should be pursued in order to maximise overall stocks of human capital. These propositions are tested with the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey data (2003) utilising a variety of statistical techniques.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Lifelong learning, skill acquisition, neurology of learning, psychology of learning, economics of learning
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Institutions > I21 - Analysis of Education; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J0 - General > J01 - Labor Economics: General; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J24 - Human Capital ; Skills ; Occupational Choice ; Labor Productivity; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J28 - Safety ; Job Satisfaction ; Related Public Policy; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J8 - Labor Standards: National and International > J88 - Public Policy

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