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While no one fits neatly into the mold of their social circle, a broad perspective can still capture the general patterns of behavior within the group. The 'wealthy' category comes with its own set of strange beliefs and behaviors. From the notion that the poor are happier to quirky ways of smoking, the lifestyle of the rich is far from dull.
10. Wealthy Kids Are More Vulnerable to Substance Abuse
It’s a common misconception that addiction is a trait of the underprivileged. In reality, drugs and alcohol affect people from all walks of life, and affluent children are particularly at risk. One might wonder, with all their wealth, what could they possibly be stressed about? They have their horses and hefty allowances. Outsiders often assume a rich teenager experimenting with Ecstasy is simply bored. However, a study in 2017 revealed a much darker reality. The reason behind their behavior is tragic and has far-reaching consequences.
Researchers tracked the lives of hundreds of students starting in high school, each coming from wealthy families with high expectations and enrolled in prestigious schools that demanded excellence. The pressure was overwhelming. As a result, drugs and alcohol became their escape. By the time they entered adulthood, the stress subsided, but the addiction worsened. By age 26, their rates of addiction were three times higher than the national average.
9. They Tend to Be Less Charitable
In 2018, a group participated in a real-money game. They gathered at a London university, where they were separated into 'higher status' and 'lower status' groups, reflecting the amount of money each individual started with.
The game had a simple objective. Each participant contributed money to a communal pot, deciding for themselves how much. After a few rounds, the money was shared among the group. A player's wealth could increase either by luck or effort. Those who earned their money became the Scrooge McDucks of the game, contributing the least.
The situation wasn’t as selfish as it seemed. The less wealthy players had fewer stakes to lose. By contributing more to the pot, they aimed to encourage the richer players to match their generosity, which would increase their chances of a bigger payout. However, the wealthy players held back. With more to lose, and having earned their money, they were less inclined to part with it easily.
8. They Are Wasteful With Cigarettes
In 2008, students in New Zealand gathered data for a research project. While doing so, they might have appeared a bit peculiar. The group explored six neighborhoods in Wellington and collected over 3,500 discarded cigarette butts. While the environment benefited from this effort, the true purpose was to examine how income influences smoking habits.
One type of cigarette showed no difference in how it was smoked, regardless of the neighborhood it came from. Both the wealthy and the less fortunate smoked roll-your-own cigarettes down to the same length. However, factory-made cigarettes or those designed for an exclusive clientele revealed the smoker’s income level.
The remaining tobacco from the discarded butts was retrieved and measured. Smokers with lower incomes, having less to spend, consumed their cigarettes almost entirely. In contrast, individuals from wealthier neighborhoods left behind 75 percent more unused tobacco.
7. They Tend to Be More Dishonest
The rich have their own unique observers. These curious psychologists have been studying the wealthy for years. Their goal? To understand how privilege impacts the human psyche. The prevailing belief is that wealth tends to nurture a greater tolerance for dishonesty.
Researchers set off with their notebooks to observe a busy intersection governed by a four-way stop. They kept track of which cars cut off other drivers. Road hogs appeared from all walks of life, but new, high-end vehicles were four times more likely to ignore the right-of-way. The team then moved to a crosswalk where pedestrians had the right to cross. All older or budget cars stopped, but half of the expensive vehicles didn’t. This technically broke the law, as drivers are required to stop for crossing pedestrians.
The statistics in other areas are even more revealing. The wealthy tend to cheat more, whether in relationships, taxes, or games. They also have plenty of money to spend but are more prone to shoplifting.
6. Wealthy Women Prefer Older Men
Historically, men had the majority of wealth, leading women to seek providers, while men focused on physical attractiveness and preferred younger partners. However, as women amass wealth, they bring their own financial independence to the table. They no longer need men for financial support but instead value their looks. Additionally, many now find themselves preferring older men. This shift in preference is so prevalent that it has been dubbed the 'George Clooney Effect.'
This change dispels the myth that wealthy women tend to behave like men, seeking younger partners (often referred to as 'toyboys'). This shift in preferences has also influenced how elite men view their partners. According to a recent survey, these men now prefer even younger women than before.
5. Wealthy Individuals Experience Longer, Healthier Lives
Perhaps the greatest advantage of wealth is a longer life. Not only do the rich get to experience nearly 100 years of life, but they also enjoy more years of physical independence in their later years. This surprising discovery was made when scientists compared the health of older adults in the United States and England.
Both countries revealed a similar pattern. After the age of 50, affluent women could expect to live 33 more years without disability, while men could enjoy 31. They were able to cook for themselves and get out of bed—basic tasks that the poorest communities began to struggle with nine years earlier.
Of course, there are places where people age gracefully without a significant bank balance, which demonstrates that longevity is influenced by a complex combination of genetics, mindset, diet, and exercise. However, the stark difference observed in the US-England study highlighted wealth as another significant factor. Wealth alleviates stress, which is a major contributor to poor health. It also gives people the ability to travel for medical care and pay for treatments that ensure a higher quality of life.
4. Wealthy Parents Resort to Cheating for Their Children
In 2019, authorities uncovered a major scam. Before the authorities caught wind of the illegal activities, things were thriving. Wealthy parents paid large bribes to secure spots for their children at prestigious universities. In total, scammers pocketed nearly $6.5 million. Among those caught in the act were actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman.
Moral psychologists weren't surprised by the scandal. The wealthy often feel a deep connection to their children's successes. Additionally, the rich are increasingly experiencing class anxiety. As more people gain entry into their exclusive world, the sight of lower-income students flooding elite institutions is hard for them to accept.
Many among the elite believe they are inherently superior and entitled to the best opportunities. This sense of entitlement fuels unethical behavior, which is often rationalized. In the bribery case, the parents justified their actions by claiming they were merely 'helping' their child.
3. They Tend to Overvalue Their Own Abilities
There's nothing wrong with self-confidence, but those from affluent families may sometimes overestimate their talents. Even worse, others often believe them too. This inflated sense of self-importance works in their favor, allowing them to excel in job interviews despite others being just as capable. Unfortunately, those who buy into their confidence may later regret their decision, realizing they hired the wrong person.
Scientists reached this conclusion after studying loan applications and job interviews. Both tests revealed that wealthier applicants often believed they performed exceptionally well, even though their results were only average. In contrast, applicants from lower-income backgrounds were more accurate in assessing their own performance, but this awareness did not give them any advantage.
As mentioned previously, the confidence of the elite impresses loan officers and hiring managers. This creates a problem, as these individuals are more likely to be given opportunities. If they fall for overconfidence in applicants who believe they're exceptional, it could explain why people with class and confidence struggles often fall behind, even though they are just as qualified.
2. They Are Less Attuned to Others
Many people feel overlooked in the presence of the rich and powerful, and it turns out that feeling is not unfounded. The wealthy have a tendency to ignore those around them, particularly individuals who are socially and financially beneath them.
In 2016, researchers conducted an experiment where they lied to participants. In two separate tests, they told volunteers they were either testing new technology or playing a memory game. The deception was necessary, as they couldn’t very well tell wealthier participants they were being studied for this particular behavior.
A group of volunteers wore smart glasses that recorded everything they saw. Believing they were simply testing the device, they walked down a street. The wealthier participants spent less time observing passersby from lower social classes. These higher-class individuals also struggled with a memory game, failing to retain images that showed faces, likely because they weren't paying attention.
The wealthy may not even realize how often they engage in this behavior. Human nature causes us to focus on potential threats. For the elite, lower-income people aren't perceived as threats, nor are they seen as rewarding. In other words, there’s little to capture their attention.
1. Some Think the Poor Are Actually Happier
There’s a strange misconception among some wealthy individuals: they believe that lower-income people are happier. Anyone who's faced financial hardship knows this isn’t the case. This belief comes from a small 2007 survey, which notably excluded men, and found that many wealthier women felt that those with less money were under less stress. The reason? They believed they themselves were simply too busy.
This view is overly simplistic when it comes to understanding stress. However, the survey’s findings were somewhat supported by other studies, which suggested that wealthy individuals sometimes cling to a more positive outlook on life to ease their guilt about their privilege. The less moral outrage they feel, the less motivation they have to help others. This mindset could explain why those with the power to create change often do nothing.
