We all feel good when we splurge on a designer handbag, but is your purchase doing you more harm than good? Research suggests that people surrounded by luxury become more self-absorbed and less empathetic towards others.
Participants in the study were asked to make decisions designed to pit self-interests against those affecting society. The respondents who thought of luxurious items before the test made more selfish and potentially damaging decisions than those who did not.
These results suggest that fat cats taking their business meetings in luxurious board rooms or even swanky resorts will make more decisions in their own self-interest than those who meet clients in a stuffy office or coffee shop.
Personally I think that’s a bit of a leap to make. Remember, most Hollywood A-listers and business big wigs tend to give more to charity than the Average Joe. After all, they’re the ones that can afford the luxurious lifestyles with change to spare.
[Image Source: Anna H-G/Stock.xchng]
