Cognitive Labor

Cognitive labor refers to the mental work associated with anticipating the needs of family members (especially children), identifying options for meeting those needs, deciding among the options, and monitoring the results of those decisions (Daminger 2019). Although distinct from the physical dimensions of unpaid care and domestic labor, like these activities, cognitive labor is viewed in many societies as primarily women’s responsibility. Cognitive labor is, thus, an important component of gender inequality within households. This tool measures the associations of cognitive labor with different agricultural and non-agricultural activities using easily understandable language (“thinking and planning”). We recommend the use of this tool in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs aimed at improving women’s empowerment and reducing women’s work burdens.

Link to: tool content and guidelines, CTO file, and statistical annex

Duration: This tool takes on average 6.24 minutes to be implemented.

Permitted use of the tool: all users are free to use the tool with citation: “MAGNET (2023). Cognitive Labor. http://magnet.ifpri.info/cognitive-labor/”

Tool sample

This is a sample for minor household repair

All households undertake minor repairs or consider undertaking minor repairs from time to time. This can include maintaining or repairing small parts of a roof or flooring, reinforcing part of the premises, fixing the doors, cook stove, or house wall, fixing the sleeping place etc. To actually do or even consider doing this kind of minor repair work, individuals in a household have to think and plan how it and when it will be done, as well as figure out the resources needed to do this. This can involve thinking and planning around collecting materials, buying various equipment from the market, considering the availability of equipment, and closely monitoring the repair process. It can also involve making sure that materials and relevant inputs such as labor required for repair are allocated in time and in an adequate amount, and thinking about the transportation and storage of materials and equipment etc. I want you to think about this kind of thinking and planning for minor household repairs.

1. Would you tell me who in your household is normally involved in thinking and planning in relation to any minor household repair/s? (Select all that apply):

• 1 = Self
• 2 = Partner/spouse
• 3 = Other female household member(s)
• 4 = Other male household members(s)
• 5 = Non-household member(s)

If they do not answer "self", move to next task.

Other tasks: Childcare and parenting decisions, Planning meals, Care for sick family member, Buying livestock, Savings

Measurement properties

• Geographies Tested: Ethiopia, India
• Populations included: Female, Male
• Age range: Adults

For details on these testing metrics, visit our scoring methodology page.