Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sheepskin effect

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.50 in modern English

Syllables: sheep-skin -ef-fect
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The theory that people who have completed an academic degree earn more income, not because of the knowledge they gained during their education, but rather because their degree indicates the possession of mental abilities and personality traits that employers are seeking.

Example Sentences

"The sheepskin effect represents a proxy measure, or the quest for a proxy measure, to detect such things as self-discipline, learning ability, aptitude for passing tests, ability to collaborate in peer groups, and so on, as well as, perhaps, willingness to conform."

Etymology

Academic degrees were traditionally presented on sheepskin parchment.

Phrases

paper ceiling the more you know, the higher you go

Frequently Paired Words

credentialism paper ceiling the more you know, the higher you go

Questions

What does sheepskin effect mean?: The theory that people who have completed an academic degree earn more income, not because of the knowledge they gained during their education, but rather because their degree indicates the possession of mental abilities and personality traits that employers are seeking.
Where does sheepskin effect come from?: Academic degrees were traditionally presented on sheepskin parchment.

How to pronounce sheepskin effect

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