The psychology of wealth, empathy and entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD

In this episode of Speaking of Psychology, host Kim Mills interviews Dr. Paul Piff about his research on the psychology of wealth and how it affects people's behavior and beliefs. Dr. Piff discusses his Monopoly experiment, which demonstrated how easily privilege can lead to entitlement and a focus on self-interest. The conversation covers studies on unethical behavior in drivers of expensive cars, differences in empathy between those born into wealth versus those who earned it, and the impact of wealth on political attitudes. Dr. Piff also addresses whether money can buy happiness, noting that while it can provide certain positive emotions, it may diminish others like love and compassion. The episode explores the broader societal implications of income inequality and the complexities surrounding philanthropy among the wealthy, questioning whether it truly mitigates inequality or serves to conserve privilege.