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Having less, giving more: The influence of social class on prosocial behavior
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Short Title: Having less, giving more
Format: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2010
Pages: 771-784
Library/Archive: (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved
Sources ID: 22855
Visibility: Private
Zotero Collections: Contexts of Contemplation Project
Abstract: (Show)

Lower social class (or socioeconomic status) is associated with fewer resources, greater exposure to threat, and a reduced sense of personal control. Given these life circumstances, one might expect lower class individuals to engage in less prosocial behavior, prioritizing self-interest over the welfare of others. The authors hypothesized, by contrast, that lower class individuals orient to the welfare of others as a means to adapt to their more hostile environments and that this orientation gives rise to greater prosocial behavior. Across 4 studies, lower class individuals proved to be more generous (Study 1), charitable (Study 2), trusting (Study 3), and helpful (Study 4) compared with their upper class counterparts. Mediator and moderator data showed that lower class individuals acted in a more prosocial fashion because of a greater commitment to egalitarian values and feelings of compassion. Implications for social class, prosocial behavior, and economic inequality are discussed.

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Contexts of Contemplation Project