Study Shows That Wealth Increases Sense of Entitlement and Narcissism

Another article that was buried in my unpublished files, although I am not entirely sure why this one never found the light of day.

It is an interesting, really even fascinating, article about a study that found what seems more and more apparent - that wealth seems to promote a sense of entitlement and, yes, even narcissism. If anything, modern technology seems to be helping to make this even truer than it might have been in the past, although you might - might - think it should be otherwise.

In any case, here is the article from a couple of years ago:




Here was an article that made me think a bit.

It suggests, like the title of the article would indicate, that having more money affects attitudes, and not for the better.

Seeing the current state of the United States, and indeed the world, where the rich hold seemingly all of the advantages, yet whine and complain more than anyone else about how rough they have it, makes this easier to believe.

I remember, when I worked with my father, who was a house painter before physical ailments forced him to close the business, that I was shocked by the audacity of one of his wealthy customers.

This was during the summer of 1999, which was incredibly hot and humid. We literally did not get any rain for months, until we got a whole bunch of rain during (was it Hurricane Hugo?) all at once in early September. But before then, no rain for a very long time, and some water restrictions were being imposed.

But that did not affect these rich ass people, who owned a beautiful dream home, complete with a shimmering swimming pool, sparkling in the sun, with a water fountain spouting in the middle of it. That summer, a lot of lawns in the area (and indeed, throughout the northeast) were brown or yellow, and dead. Not pretty, but natural, given the drought and water restrictions.

These people, however? Immaculate, and clearly well-watered lawn of unnaturally green color, surely chemically enhanced. Every car looking like it was freshly washed and waxed, and that swimming pool, of course.

To my mind's eye, it seemed like a blatant statement to any and all who saw, that the water restrictions might be valid for those lessers like us, who had to comply. But they were above the law, and could not be bothered with such minor matters. After all, they had the perfect house and garden and pool and luxury cars to worry about!

It was absolutely disgusting, and was perhaps the most extreme example of one truth that I noticed in my limited time working on and off with my father over the years: rich people, far from having ideal lives, were actually among the most miserable people I have ever met! They complained more, and often far more, than anyone else! You might think it was the opposite, but that was a simple, and somewhat surprising, truth that I noticed.

In any case, read the article, and see what you think, and whether or not you agree.

Keep in mind, I welcome any and all comments, questions, and concerns, as well!





Study finds wealth gives rise to a sense of entitlement and narcissistic behaviors By Eric W. Dolan Sunday, August 25, 2013 12:14 EDT

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/25/study-finds-wealth-gives-rise-to-a-sense-of-entitlement-and-narcissistic-behaviors/