Are Rich People Worse Humans?

TL;DR

Multiple studies show that wealth can lead to behaviors such as cutting off other drivers, ignoring pedestrians, keeping incorrect change, and displaying less empathy towards others.

Transcript

Do you ever get the sense that rich people are more likely to be rude or self-centered? Well we decided it was time to find out whether or not rich people are actually more likely to be jerks. Ever been cut off while driving? It was more likely by a Mercedes than a 20 year old junker. Multiple studies have found that the more expensive your car is ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚙 Expensive car owners are more likely to engage in rude driving behaviors such as cutting off other vehicles and ignoring pedestrians.
• 💱 Wealthy individuals are more likely to keep incorrect change when a mistake is made by a cashier.
• 😃 People with more money spend less time making eye contact and engaging in social gazes with others.
• 😘 Lower-income households contribute a higher percentage of their income to charity compared to wealthy households.
• 🥹 Holding positions of power can make individuals more selfish and less considerate of others.
• ✊ Emotionally intelligent individuals who focus on others and practice generosity are more likely to gain power in a group.
• 😊 College students at the top of the social hierarchy tend to be pro-social and compassionate rather than selfish.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are wealthy individuals more likely to display rude driving behaviors?

Yes, multiple studies have found that people with expensive cars are more likely to cut off other vehicles and drive through crosswalks when pedestrians are waiting to cross.

Q: Do wealthy people tend to keep incorrect change given to them?

Yes, studies show that individuals with more money are more likely to keep the extra change when a mistake is made by the cashier.

Q: Do wealthy individuals engage less in social gazes and eye contact?

Yes, research using Google Glass to track eye movements found that wealthy people spend significantly less time making eye contact and engaging in social gazes with others.

Q: Do rich people contribute more to charity?

No, nationwide survey data shows that lower-income households contribute a higher percentage of their income to charity compared to wealthy households.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Expensive car owners are more likely to cut in front of other vehicles and drive through crosswalks when pedestrians are waiting to cross.

• People with more money are more likely to keep incorrect change given to them.

• Wealthy individuals spend less time making eye contact and engaging in social gazes with others.

• Nationwide survey data shows that the wealthy contribute a lower percentage of their income to charity compared to lower-income households.