Economics Seminar - How does early life experience shape social capital and wellbeing?

Human beings evolved an intensive caregiving system to help children develop and mature. This system, known as the ‘evolved nest’, includes practices such as responsive care, free play, affectionate touch, and a positive emotional climate. In this study we draw on both longitudinal and cross-sectional data to explore the extent to which early life experience of the evolved nest is associated with several measures of social capital (e.g. trust, altruism, reciprocity, and civic engagement) and wellbeing using both self-reported and incentivised measures.