Are We Being Ruled by Self-Centered Jerks? What New Studies Reveals About the Ultra Wealthy

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/economy/are-we-being-ruled-self-centered-jerks-what-new-studies-reveals-about-ultra-wealthy



Two studies released last week confirmed what most of us already knew: the ultra-wealthy tend to be narcissistic and have a greater sense of entitlement than the rest of us, and Congress only pays attention to their interests. Both studies are consistent with earlier research.

In the first study, published in the current Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Paul Piff of UC Berkeley conducted five experiments which demonstrated that “higher social class is associated with increased entitlement and narcissism.” Given the opportunity, Piff also found that they were more likely to check themselves out in a mirror than were those of lesser means.

Piff looked at how participants scored on a standard scale of “psychological entitlement,” and found that those of a high social class — based on income levels, education and occupational prestige — were more likely to say “I honestly feel I’m just more deserving than others,” while people further down the social ladder were likelier to respond, “I do not necessarily deserve special treatment.”

In an earlier study, published last year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Piff and four researchers from the University of Toronto conducted a series of experiments which found that “upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lower-class individuals.” This included being more likely to “display unethical decision-making,” steal, lie during a negotiation and cheat in order to win a contest.

[chervilant]

1. All-around unpleasant individuals...

There's a big surprise...

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Narcissistic Fibrosis, and aspiring sycophants are their soldiers .

[geckosfeet]

3. Confirming what we already know: the ultra-wealthy tend to have a greater sense of entitlement

Two studies released last week confirmed what most of us already knew: the ultra-wealthy tend to be narcissistic and have a greater sense of entitlement than the rest of us, and Congress only pays attention to their interests. Both studies are consistent with earlier research.

//

This included being more likely to "display unethical decision-making," steal, lie during a negotiation and cheat in order to win a contest.

Can we go bomb Syria now? My defense stocks have been sagging a bit lately.

[Earth_First]

4. This demographic is also more likely to abuse both prescription and illegal drug use...

Anti depressant abuse is a dirty little secret of these individuals.

No surprises there...

[Locrian]

5. yes...

They're like the third generation idiot inbred offspring of the old monarchy.

No idea of what it takes to actually *do* anything, they think that snapping their fingers and ordering people around constitutes leadership and fine character.

All the while, they engage in the most self serving, narcissistic behaviors.

[LiberalEsto]

6. In other news: Pope revealed to be practicing Catholic;

bears found to defecate in wooded areas.

What next unbelievable discovery awaits us?

[liberal N proud]

7. Money change everything

[moondust]

8. "I'm rich and famous so I must be pretty special."

"Maybe even a God."

[deutsey]

9. The Two Bums

The bum on the rods is hunted down as an enemy of mankind
The other is driven around to his club, is feted, wined and dined

And they who curse the bum on the rods as the essence of all that's bad
Will greet the other with a willing smile and extend a hand so glad

The bum on the rods is a social flea who gets an occassional bite
The bum on the plush is a social leech, bloodsucking day and night

The bum on the rods is a load so light that his weight we scarcely feel
But it takes the labour of dozens of folks to furnish the other a meal

As long as we sanction the bum on the plush the other will always be there
But rid ourselves of the bum on the plush and the other will dissappear

Then make an intelligent organised kick get rid of the weights that crush
Dont worry about the bum on the rods get rid of the bum on the plush


Utah Phillips writes
"This is a poem from George Milburn's book, The Hobo's Hornbook.

...you hear over and over again, "Nobody ought to get something for nothing." I've got to agree. You've got to work to eat.

I look at a factory. I see that everybody associated with that factory puts something in and they take something out. The workers put in their sweat and their skill, and they take out wages. The salesmen put in their skill and ability, and they take out commissions. The managers and foremen and people in the offices put in theirs, and take out salaries. But there's one group of people who take out more than they put in, and that more is called profit. I can't think of any other way to define it. That's a bunch of people who are getting something they didn't work for, and it's a whole lot. If we're really concerned about people getting just what they earn, if we're really concerned about people not getting something that they didn't put in time and sweat for, let's start with the major offenders, and get rid of them. Then we'll gradually work our way down to the petty chiselers. It just makes sense."

[KG]

10. t'was ever thus. even in a 'democracy'

many folks prefer it. I don't even have to leave DU to see that.

[RKP5637]

11. Many are "Idiocracy" getting 'highs' from wealth! n/t

[reformist2]

12. Most get to the top due to luck, pull, or sociopathic ruthlessness.

[Triana]

14. Bluster, bullshit, name-dropping

who they know instead of what they can do/actual skills or knowledge. . . Yep.

[Brigid]

13. Um, they needed studies to tell them that?

Weren't they paying attention while Mitty was running for President?

[bullwinkle428]

15. I could not possibly confirm this theory any more enthusiastically, given my interaction

with some of these people on other boards where I spend time!

K&R.

[HughBeaumont]

16. Greed, greed, GREED.

Greed on their level is causing a lion's share of economic damage. Doesn't matter what party they belong to; selfish authoritarian conservativism is a poisonous trait to have when your economy depends on interaction, fairness, healthy maintenance and the greater good of the commons.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. This can be learned simply by playing a Kanye or Jay-Z track. 'I am a God I am Picasso'

nt

[TBF]

18. Is water still wet? We'd better do a study. nt

[Larry Ogg]

19. Let’s not be to hard on the uber rich! I mean after all…

If not for the billions of dollars they pump and pimp into our election process. The high maintenance political whores (drama kings and queens), that are chosen to run our government like a morally bankrupt three ring circus, might end up being replaced by some less attractive, intelligent, humble, honest, and "god forbid"... Dreaded peace loving, tree hugging liberals who have a conscience.

Of course, there is nothing to worry about, because we all know how much working class people love to worship aesthetic puppets, and political whores that will sell them out to the highest bidder just to get elected.

Besides, most people haven't the understanding or vision, that would produce a big interest in seeing what life would be like without the narcissistic behavior and financial greed that has made our pretend democracy into a utopia for the rich and venal.

And thankfully, as a just reward for their willful blindness, a psychological plague of denial has been bestowed upon the great mass of losers that do all the work of creating tangible wealth for a pittance of its worth. Insuring most of them will slave away, and never be the wiser.

[Skittles]

20. really?

[emsimon33]

21. Confirmed the obvious