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Study: Rich People Behave More Unethically Than Poor

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A study done by the University of California, Berkley reveals upper-class individuals behave more unethically than the lower-class.

Paul Piff, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at UC, Berkeley did seven studies about the behavior. His findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

The first and second study showed wealthy people are more likely to break the law while driving.

Study No. 3 showed wealthy individuals were more likely to exhibit unethical decision-making tendencies.

Study No. 4 showed the rich were more likely to take valued goods and study No. 5 showed the rich are more willing to lie in a negotiation.

No. 6 showed the wealthy people are more likely to cheat to increase their chances of winning a prize.

The final study, No. 7 showed the rich are more likely to endorse unethical behavior at work.

During an interview with Bloomberg News, Piff told them a "fundamental motive among society's elite, and the increased want associated with greater wealth and status can promote wrongdoing."

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