Are rich people really worse behaved? Here’s the science – podcast
Who’s more likely to steal sweets from a child? According to science, it’s the rich. A study seemingly confirming our suspicions about the moral behaviour of the wealthy was one of the winners of the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes, which honour research that makes you laugh and then think. Science editor Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay what the researchers think could be behind the phenomenon, and they…
A recent Ig Nobel prize-winning study has suggested that wealthy individuals are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior compared to their less affluent counterparts. According to the Guardian Science's science editor, Ian Sample, this seemingly counterintuitive finding has sparked considerable discussion about the moral behavior of the rich.
The study, which earned one of the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes, aims to shed light on the factors that might contribute to this phenomenon, while also highlighting other intriguing research findings. Topics include the qualities we value in friends and the biomechanics of kissing.
Brief written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
