On Greed

Wang, Long; Murnighan, J. Keith

doi:10.1080/19416520.2011.588822

Cited by 72 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Plato and Aristotle deemed greed to be at the root of personal immorality, arguing that greed drives desires for material gain at the expense of ethical standards (11,12). Research finds that individuals motivated by greed tend to abandon moral principles in their pursuit of self-interest (13).…”

Section: Correctionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior

Piff

Stancato

Côté

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

792

647

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CORRECTIONHigher social class predicts increased unethical behavior Seven studies using experimental and naturalistic methods reveal that upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lowerclass individuals. In studies 1 and 2, upper-class individuals were more likely to break the law while driving, relative to lower-class individuals. In follow-up laboratory studies, upper-class individuals were more likely to exhibit unethical decision-making tendencies (study 3), take valued goods from others (study 4), lie in a negotiation (study 5), cheat to increase their chances of winning a prize (study 6), and endorse unethical behavior at work (study 7) than were lowerclass individuals. Mediator and moderator data demonstrated that upper-class individuals' unethical tendencies are accounted for, in part, by their more favorable attitudes toward greed.hich social class is the more likely provenance of unethical behavior, the upper class or the lower class? Examining how social class is associated with unethical behavior, or actions that harm others and are illegal or morally objectionable to one's community (1), would shed light on behaviors such as cheating, deception, or breaking the law that have important consequences for society. On the one hand, lower-class individuals live in environments defined by fewer resources, greater threat, and more uncertainty (2, 3). It stands to reason, therefore, that lower-class individuals may be more motivated to behave unethically to increase their resources or overcome their disadvantage.A second line of reasoning, however, suggests the opposite prediction: namely, that the upper class may be more disposed to the unethical. Greater resources, freedom, and independence from others among the upper class give rise to self-focused socialcognitive tendencies (3-7), which we predict will facilitate unethical behavior. Historical observation lends credence to this idea. For example, the recent economic crisis has been attributed in part to the unethical actions of the wealthy (8). Religious teachings extol the poor and admonish the rich with claims like, "It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven" (9). Building upon past findings, in the present investigation we tested whether upper-class individuals-relative to lower-class individuals-are more likely to engage in unethical behavior, and whether their attitudes toward greed might help explain this tendency.Social class, or socioeconomic status (SES), refers to an individual's rank vis-à-vis others in society in terms of wealth, occupational prestige, and education (2, 3). Abundant resources and elevated rank allow upper-class individuals increased freedom and independence (4), giving rise to self-focused patterns of social cognition and behavior (3). Relative to lower-class individuals, upper-class individuals have been shown to be less cognizant of others (4) and worse at identifying the emotions that others feel (5). Furthermore, upper-class individuals are more disengaged during social interactions-for e...

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Section: Correctionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior

Piff

Stancato

Côté

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

792

647

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Far less is known about the characteristics (motivations, behavior) of those at the top, some of whom, by their actions may undermine the eudaimonic well-being of others below them. That is, greed may be a fundamental force that is fueling the growing problem of inequality, now evident on a global scale (Piketty 2014; Wang & Murnighan 2011). Over 200 years ago, Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations (1981/1776) distilled the case for self-interest and capitalism, but even he recognized the problem of greed, which he depicted as the limitless appetites of the vain and insatiable (see Wight, 2005).…”

Section: Two Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eudaimonic well-being, inequality, and health: Recent findings and future directions

2017

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The theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of a eudaimonic model of well-being are examined and its empirical translation into distinct dimensions of well-being is described. Empirical findings have documented aging declines in eudaimonic well-being, but there is considerable variability within age groups. Among older adults who remain purposefully engaged, health benefits (reduced morbidity, extended longevity) have been documented. Eudaimonic well-being also appears to offer a protective buffer against increased health risk among the educationally disadvantaged. Neural and genetic mechanisms that may underlie eudaimonic influences on health are briefly noted, and interventions designed to promote eudaimonic well-being are sketched. Needed future research directions include addressing problems of unjust societies wherein greed among privileged elites may be a force compromising the eudaimonic well-being of those less privileged. Alternatively, and more positive in focus, is the need to better understand the role of the arts, broadly defined, in promoting eudaimonic well-being across all segments of society.

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“…Greed has attracted substantial attention in the business press (Haynes, Hitt, & Campbell, ), and in popular media (Ausick, ; Colvin, ; Dorfman, ; McGee, ; Pearlstein, ). Scholars have identified antecedents and consequences of greedy behavior; studies by Seuntjens, Zeelenberg, Breugelmans, and van de Ven (), Seuntjens, Zeelenberg, van de Ven, and Breugelmans (), Wang and Murnighan (), and Haynes et al () have explored the motivations of greedy actors, whereas Anderson () and Gilliland and Anderson () studied greed perceptions and subsequent responses to greedy behavior. This paper aims to investigate contagion of greed in the context of social interactions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is greed contagious? Four experimental studies

Cardella

Kugler

Anderson

et al. 2019

Behavioral Decision Making

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Do people become greedier when interacting with others they perceive to be greedy? It has been speculated that greed contagion exits and may have influenced the 2008 financial collapse. We examined this possibility in four experimental studies using a common pool resource dilemma. Specifically, whether participants' second‐round (R2) withdrawal from the common pool was influenced (a) by their assessment of how greedy their opponents' first‐round (R1) withdrawal was, (b) by R1 opponents' reputation for being greedy, (c) by observing past behavior of others in unrelated interactions, and (d) when R1 opponents directly confronted them with an assessment of their own greediness of their R1 withdrawal. In addition, Study 2 examined R2 interactions involving new opponents. Taken together, results suggest that there is contagion of greed. However, the connection appears to be driven by participants adjusting to their opponent's actual behavior, not by their evaluation of the greediness of such behavior. It seems that perceptions of greed do not mediate future behavior and, thus, are not necessarily contagious, but norms of selfish behavior are. In this sense, greed perceptions appear to by epiphenomenal in that they are an incidental by‐product of the behavioral interaction. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest directions for further research.

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On Greed

Cited by 72 publications

References 96 publications

Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior

Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior

Eudaimonic well-being, inequality, and health: Recent findings and future directions

Is greed contagious? Four experimental studies

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