Relative age, identity and schooling: An extension of the Akerlof/Kranton model which solves a puzzle

Relative age effects are described. A relative age effect that is the exact opposite of “normal” is shown: that is the puzzle. The Akerlof/Kranton economic model of sociological research on identity and schooling is extended by adding maturity as a characteristic. Relative age is correlated with maturity in young people; membership in the “leading crowd” is partly determined by maturity. Membership in the leading crowd also produces “learning by being” in the group, which causes the relative age effect to persist through high school. A model of that persistence is developed. That model, with the results of the sociological research, predicts the “puzzling” effect.