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Frontiers of Education in China

ISSN 1673-341X

ISSN 1673-3533(Online)

CN 11-5741/G4

Postal Subscription Code 80-979

Front. Educ. China    2020, Vol. 15 Issue (2) : 279-312    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11516-020-0013-9
Research article
Higher Education Expansion, Selections Based on Non-Cognitive Abilities and Gender Differences: The Case of China
YANG Ying1, NIU Xinchun2(), YANG Fei3, HU Pingping4
1. Research Institute for Higher Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
2. Research Institute for Higher Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
3. Research Institute for Higher Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
4. Research Institute for Higher Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Abstract

We assess how implicit selections based on non-cognitive abilities may have changed in the context of the great higher education expansion in China, applying the classic supply-demand framework and utilizing the Big Five personality model. Using the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) data from 2012, difference-in-difference (DID), difference-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) and descriptive analyses establish the following three major findings. First, from the generation entering college before the expansion—post-70s—to the generation entering college after the expansion—post-80s and post-90s—implicit selections in higher education based on personality have weakened with the increased supply of higher education opportunities. Second, selections have significantly weakened in terms of the openness dimension of personality, yet there is some evidence that selections have strengthened in terms of conscientiousness. This reflects that open-mindedness has become a relatively higher supply trait and conscientiousness has become a relatively lower supply trait among members of the post-90s generation. Third, selections have weakened only on the openness dimension for males, but on multiple dimensions beginning with agreeableness for females, reflecting a greatly increased supply of higher education opportunities for females with this dominant trait. The finding on strengthened selections based on conscientiousness has important implications for what and how to educate today’s college students.

Keywords Big Five personality      non-cognitive abilities      higher education expansion      gender      difference-in-differences (DID)      difference-in-difference-in- difference (DDD)      Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS)     
Issue Date: 10 July 2020
 Cite this article:   
YANG Ying,NIU Xinchun,YANG Fei, et al. Higher Education Expansion, Selections Based on Non-Cognitive Abilities and Gender Differences: The Case of China[J]. Front. Educ. China, 2020, 15(2): 279-312.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fed/EN/10.1007/s11516-020-0013-9
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fed/EN/Y2020/V15/I2/279
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