Figure 1.

Graphical representation showing cognitive selection into educational attainment and educational benefits on adult cognition. Secondary Qualifications (SQ) lines are solid; University Degree (UD) lines are dashed. Dark grey bands represent confidence intervals. Light grey bands show regions where different qualifications have graduates with similar adolescent intelligence. (A) Cognitive processes: adolescent and adult cognition are correlated; adolescent intelligence defines propensity for educational attainment with no educational benefits. (B) Educational benefits: no cognitive selection for educational attainment; adult cognition determined by both adolescent intelligence and educational benefits. (C) Multiple processes: evidence for both cognitive selection into education and benefit of education on adult cognition