My gut feeling borne out . . .
Drivers of expensive cars are more likely to drive like jerks. These studies explore driver behavior in four-way intersections. [1]
A research team including Berkeley psychologists Paul Piff and Dacher Keltner have been examining the way social status and wealth affects morality. Their findings — which are getting a lot of media attention — broadly show that wealthier, higher-status individuals are, essentially, more likely to cheat.
I’ve explored this topic previously here. [2] John Nichols and William McChesney gathered enough evidence on this topic of wealth privilege to fill an entire book: Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media Election Complex is Destroying America. [3]
Also, check out the new podcast of Michael Lewis, Against the Rules. [4] I’ve only heard the intro podcast so far (“Ref, You Suck”), but this is podcasting at its best.
The study at the top, involving an simple traffic intersection with simple well-known rules, seemed like an especially good illustration that a disproportionate number of wealthy people feel and act out their privilege, even out in the open.
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