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Researchers contend rich people are more selfish

There's been plenty of discussion over the past few years about the widening gap between rich and poor.Now, new research suggests that the there's another type of gap between the haves and the have-nots.Put simply, these researchers contend, the wealthy are more selfish.In a story Wednesday in msnbc.com's health section, our colleague Brian Alexander quotes psychologist and social scientist Dacher

There's been plenty of discussion over the past few years about the widening gap between rich and poor.

Now, new research suggests that the there's another type of gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Put simply, these researchers contend, the wealthy are more selfish.

In a story Wednesday in msnbc.com's health section, our colleague Brian Alexander quotes psychologist and social scientist Dacher Keltner:

“We have now done 12 separate studies measuring empathy in every way imaginable, social behavior in every way, and some work on compassion and it’s the same story,” he said. “Lower class people just show more empathy, more prosocial behavior, more compassion, no matter how you look at it.”

Readers, what do you think? Are wealthier people more selfish?