我们推导了一个易处理的非线性收益函数，我们分别估计每个个体在NLSY79数据。这些估算为每个人提供了五个重要参数:三个能力测量(两个代表学习能力，一个代表赚钱能力)，一个技能折旧率，一个时间贴现率。此外，我们还得到了人力资本租赁率的全人群估计。为了说明人力资本生产的异质性，我们将这些参数的分布与NLSY79报告的AFQT分数一起绘制出来。通过利用这些参数，我们能够验证一些迄今为止未经检验的基于生命周期人力资本模型的定理。此外，我们还能够展示这些人力资本生产函数参数与认知能力、人格特征和家庭背景之间的关系。在我们的研究结果中，我们发现:黑人和白人之间的能力差异小于标准化测试中表现出来的差异。黑人的时间折扣率和技能折旧率高于白人。时间贴现率和技能折旧率越高的个体，受教育年限越少。拥有高内在控制点和自尊的个体表现出更强的能力、更低的技能贬值和更小的时间贴现率。 Individuals inclined towards depression have higher time discount rates. Agreeable, open, conscientious and extrovert individuals have a greater ability to learn but not necessarily a greater ability to earn. Neurotic individuals have a lower ability to learn. Higher parental education is associated with a greater ability to learn, lower skill depreciation, and a smaller time discount rate. Educational stimuli, such as growing up in a household that subscribed to magazines, are associated with higher ability. Conversely, growing up poor is associated with lower ability.