What the study found
Height misreporting was associated with higher income, which the authors describe as a deception premium. The study also says height misreporting partially reduced the height premium, meaning the income advantage linked to height itself was smaller among people who misreported their height.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings help deepen understanding of height discrimination in the labor market and of height misreporting. They also say the study extends the use of psychology in labor signaling theory and broadens the research boundaries of behavioral economics.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies to confirm that height misreporting exists and to examine its relationship with income. They also conducted heterogeneous analysis across different industries and careers, and examined psychological mechanisms and other outcomes mentioned in the abstract.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract reports that height discrimination is the main reason for height misreporting. It also says the deception premium was linked to enhanced self-confidence and risk tolerance. No deception premium was found in knowledge-intensive industries and careers requiring official credentials, and height misreporting also mitigated various appearance premiums and affected financial investment, social trust, and marriage ages.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed study limitations. It is also limited to the 2018 China Family Panel Studies and to the relationships reported in the abstract, so no broader claims beyond that summary can be made.
Key points
- Height misreporting was associated with higher income, described by the authors as a deception premium.
- Height misreporting partially reduced the height premium.
- The abstract says height discrimination is the main reason for height misreporting.
- The psychological mechanism reported was enhanced self-confidence and risk tolerance.
- No deception premium was found in knowledge-intensive industries and credential-required careers.
- The study also says height misreporting affected appearance premiums, financial investment, social trust, and marriage ages.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Height misreporting is linked to higher income
- Authors:
- Shuang Pan, Ming Jin
- Institutions:
- Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.