According to new research, rich people tend to be more mean than those who are poorer, much like Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
An analysis of data from 46,000. people in 67 different countries allowed a Norwegian team, the University of Agder to discover their findings.
These studies suggest that Disney films, and other tropes from classic literature, can stand scrutiny. A lack of wealth is linked with higher moral standards.
Although the connection was not significant, the researchers found that it was an important discovery. They discovered that poorer people are more likely to give to charity or help.
According to new research, rich people tend to be more mean than those of lower income, much like Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Their findings are similar to Disney films that portray wealthy characters as being more likely to be poor than rich.
The team gave the example of Cinderella, who is treated badly at home, but who with her pure heart wins the prince, or even the seven hard-working dwarfs who look after Snow White when she needs help.
People get older and see the world as more complicated. The truth is, the poor tend to think that they should make as much as possible, while those in the middle are better off.
“Research in this area goes in many directions. Professor at University of Agder, Tobias Otterbring says that some studies have shown a positive correlation between morality and socioeconomic status, but others show a decrease in both.
Together with three colleagues from Aarhus University in Denmark, with Christian T. Elbæk as project leader, he has analysed data from over 46,000 participants.
Otterbring explained that participants came from 67 different nations and were surprised at the result.
Researchers found that a lower socioeconomic standing, which was derived from a less wealthy background, directly related to higher moral attitudes, and behavior.
When discussing economic inequalities and socioeconomic status, the term ‘Socioeconomic state’ can be used. While it’s often used in the exact same manner as’social Class’, it’s less politically charged.
Survey results show that people who were raised in poor environments have a higher morality than others.
The team found that they were more inclined to give money to charities and placed greater emphasis on cooperation.
The researchers found that people with high levels of inequality had stronger moral identities than those in less-insecure countries.
Participants were asked to express their moral identity by being presented with statements like “It would be nice to be someone who is.” [quality]’.
An analysis of data from over 46,000 people in 67 countries helped the University of Agder (Norway) to discover their findings.
You could choose from a range of answers, ranging in scales 1-10, for quality such as kindness, caring, generosity, helpfulness, honesty and kindness.
“People who are poorer than others tend to be more dependent on them,” Otterbring said. Otterbring speculated that perhaps they are more sensitive about their social environments.
“If one does something good for someone else, it may make them more likely to return the favor.”
However, those who have more resources may feel that they can handle their affairs on their own and not require help, according to the researcher.
Otterbring stated that it was interesting for people who have lived well in Norway to reflect on this topic. He added that perhaps the results could encourage those of high socioeconomic standing to see more of those outside of their own circle of friends, and to act accordingly.
He points out, however, that correlations found in the data are not strong. They are deemed’significant, weak’ by the researcher.
Otterbring stated, “We found this association even after controlling for other variables.”
“We can see that, even though only a fraction of morality in the world can be explained by socioeconomic status alone, this will still have significant consequences for all people.
Otterbring suggests that certain figures might have been influenced or reinforced by the pandemic.
It is based, as with other types of studies, on participants’ opinions about themselves. This may not be representative of real-world behaviour.
These findings can be accessed as preprint articles, but they have not been peer-reviewed.