Psychology studies suggest rising wealth means more jerks [View all]
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
If it seems that San Franciscans are getting more entitled and self-absorbed, a series of psychology studies performed at UC Berkeley indicates there could be a scientific reason: the city’s increasing wealth.
Paul Piff, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine (he moved from UC Berkeley just a few weeks ago), has spent the past decade conducting about 50 studies on how wealthy people and poorer people behave in the same situations. Again and again, he’s found a common thread: Rich people are more likely to behave unethically even if they get very little benefit.
... “I think what we’re assessing in these studies is a general lack of sensitivity to the needs of other people,” Piff said. “The wealthier you are, the less attuned you are to other people around you.”
... Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Mission, has talked a lot about San Francisco’s growing income inequality and what he views as a “Tale of Two Cities.” He said some wealthy San Franciscans are incredibly generous, such as Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, but said he thinks it’s the exception in today’s corporate culture. He is pushing Airbnb, for example, to pay millions in back taxes but hasn’t gotten anywhere.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Psychology-studies-suggest-rising-wealth-means-6039481.php
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