Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior

作者：Piff, Paul K.^*; Stancato, Daniel M.; Cote, Stephane; Mendoza-Denton, Rodolfo; Keltner, Dacher

来源：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012, 109(11): 4086-4091.

DOI：10.1073/pnas.1118373109

• socioeconomic status
• immoral action
• ethical judgment
• self-interest

Seven studies using experimental and naturalistic methods reveal that upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lower-class individuals. In studies 1 and 2, upper-class individuals were more likely to break the law while driving, relative to lower-class individuals. In follow-up laboratory studies, upper-class individuals were more likely to exhibit unethical decision-making tendencies (study 3), take valued goods from others (study 4), lie in a negotiation (study 5), cheat to increase their chances of winning a prize (study 6), and endorse unethical behavior at work (study 7) than were lower-class individuals. Mediator and moderator data demonstrated that upper-class individuals' unethical tendencies are accounted for, in part, by their more favorable attitudes toward greed.

• 出版日期2012-3-13