Psychologist wins Ig Nobel for proving rich drivers are the worst
Paul K. Piff, UC Irvine associate professor of psychology, has officially been recognized for what millions of frustrated commuters have long suspected: The fancier the car, the worse the driver.
Paul K. Piff, an associate professor of psychology at UC Irvine, has claimed the prestigious Economics Ig Nobel Prize for his research on the connection between wealth and unethical behavior. This study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2012, humbly amused and profoundly challenged audiences with its findings.
The research, spanning nearly two decades, revealed that those with higher social classes were more prone to engage in unethical activities. Among these activities, drivers of expensive, late-model vehicles were notably more likely to cut off other cars at busy intersections. To illustrate this point, Piff's lab conducted an experiment involving a bowl of candy reserved for children, which wealthier individuals took twice as much of.
The findings suggest that wealth fosters self-interest, entitlement, and a disregard for others' well-being. Piff humorously acknowledged the findings' global applicability and paid tribute to his collaborators and family, including his wife and their son Oli, who contributed to the study.
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