Wealthy individuals tend to be more involved in charitable actions like giving donations or volunteering, as revealed by a recent worldwide study.
Wealthy individuals tend to be more involved in charitable actions like giving donations or volunteering, as revealed by a recent worldwide study.
A fresh study published today in PNAS Nexus by researchers from the University of Birmingham indicates strong connections between both actual wealth and personal financial satisfaction, and various forms of prosocial behavior. This includes altruistic intentions and reciprocity, where individuals respond positively when helped by others.
The research encompassed global data, gathering insights from over 80,000 individuals across 76 countries, representing diverse cultures and economies. The results imply that relative wealth in different nations fuels similar motivations for altruism and charitable actions. Additionally, the study highlights that promoting financial equality could significantly enhance prosocial behaviors.
Patricia Lockwood, a Professor of Decision Neuroscience at the University of Birmingham and the senior author of the research, stated:
“There has been debate about whether increased wealth leads to more or less prosocial behavior. Our study clearly indicates that both wealth and a sense of financial security are closely linked to prosocial attitudes and actions. Individuals with greater wealth are more likely to donate to charity and engage in volunteer work or reciprocal acts of kindness. Even more, this trend remains consistent across various countries, regardless of their differing wealth levels.”
“However, we also discovered a negative correlation between wealth and trust. Those with higher incomes were generally less inclined to trust others to act favorably towards them. Lastly, greater wealth correlated with a tendency to punish those who misbehave, which can play a significant role in upholding prosocial behaviors in society.”
The research determined that individuals’ past experiences with financial struggles contribute most strongly to the link between wealth and prosocial actions. Lead author Paul Vanags elaborated:
“When people face financial instability, their enhanced financial well-being is likely to lead to prosocial behaviors like helping others, making donations, and volunteering. Therefore, individuals who have overcome difficult financial situations and feel relatively secure are more likely to engage in positive prosocial behaviors.”
