From Charles Dickens' Ebeneezer Scrooge to Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, popular culture has no shortage of rich, tough, and selfish characters.
Now, psychologists say this "Scrooge effect" may have more truth to it than just a stereotype.
Research has shown clear links between wealth and unethical behavior such as fraud and theft. Wealthier individuals have a greater focus on their own interests and show less compassion for the suffering of others.
But according to Dr. Steve Taylor, a psychologist at Leeds Beckett University, the opposite may be true: people who try to get rich often do so out of a sense of lack or dissatisfaction. He explains:
"Essentially, the desire for wealth is associated with a state of frustration and dissatisfaction. Happy people usually do not strive to become rich."
Studies on wealth and morality
A study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that upper-class individuals are more likely to lie during negotiations, cheat to win a prize, and engage in unethical behavior at work. This phenomenon was largely linked to a more favorable attitude toward greed.
Meanwhile, people from less affluent groups show more compassion for the suffering of others. But it’s not just social status that predicts selfish behavior. Studies have shown, for example, that drivers of more expensive cars are less likely to stop for pedestrians. A study by the University of Nevada showed that the likelihood that a driver will stop for pedestrians decreases by 3% for every $1,000 the car costs.
Egocentrism and the “Dark Trail”
Dr. Taylor argues that personality traits that make a person selfish also make them more prone to wealth. These traits include psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, known as the Dark Side.
These individuals often achieve positions of power and wealth, but are not happy. Taylor explains:
“Some people experience a deep psychological disconnect. Their psychological boundaries are so strong that they feel disconnected from others and the world, without feelings of empathy.”
This inner void drives them to seek status and power to fill it. This may explain why rates of clinical psychopathy are three times higher on corporate boards than in the general population.
Dark Triad traits make individuals colder and less concerned about the harm that may be caused to others in the creation of wealth. According to Dr. Taylor, connection with others is essential to well-being, and without it, wealth does not bring happiness.
Wealth doesn't mean bad.
However, not all rich people are bad. Some become rich because of talent, innovative ideas, or inheritance. People like Bill Gates give away large portions of their wealth to humanitarian causes, rather than hoarding it like Scrooge.
Ultimately, wealth is often negatively correlated with compassion and empathy, and this may explain why some of the wealthiest people always aim to have more, rather than enjoy existing possessions.
Dr. Taylor concludes:
"Connection with others is essential to human well-being. Without connection, there is a permanent state of dissatisfaction, no matter how rich or successful you become." /GazetaExpress/
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