On wealth and wrongdoing: how social class influences unethical behavior

Social class exerts a significant influence on ethical decisions and behavior. Psychological research finds that individuals from higher social class backgrounds are more likely to prioritize themselves---their individual needs and desires relative to individuals from lower social class backgrounds, who are more likely to be sensitive to others. Guided by this work, Paul K. Piff, Ph.D., will report studies showing that higher social class is associated with increased unethical behavior, decreased altruism, and increased utilitarian moral reasoning, as well as provide data to shed light on the reasons for these class differences. The talk highlights that social class is a powerful force in the realm of ethics.