My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

presents

WebMD Community Talk Show

Serving up a new debate daily, this is the place where putting up your dukes and defending your opinion is encouraged.

Last Reply:

Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?

Olivia_WebMD_Staff posted:

Recent experiments at the University of California, Berkley, and the University of Toronto, showed that people who consider themselves upper class tend to break more rules than other social groups.

Check out the story .

Do you think this is true?

Have you seen upper class people behaving badly?

Share your opinion!

18 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?Recent experiments at the University of California, Berkley, and the University of Toronto, showed that <a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20120227/high-social-status-linked-to-bad-behavior">people who consider themselves upper class tend to break more rules</a> than other social groups. Check out <a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20120227/high-social-status-linked-to-bad-behavior">the story</a> . Do you think this is true? Have you seen upper class people behaving badly? Share your opinion!

Rachael67 responded:

I have found that if folks are brought up to follow the rules and if the rules are fair and reasonable, it doesn't make a great deal of difference as to their social status.

Rachael

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?I have found that if folks are brought up to follow the rules and if the rules are fair and reasonable, it doesn't make a great deal of difference as to their social status. Rachael

Anon_34374 responded:

oooh, oooh, oooh. a debate about the so-called "1%ers"

Let the liberal nonsensical comments fly!!

I am actually bursting at the seams here...

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?oooh, oooh, oooh. a debate about the so-called "1%ers" Let the liberal nonsensical comments fly!! I am actually bursting at the seams here...

butterflygarden responded:

Hmmm...the part about watching the behavior based on the type of car seems a little odd to me. You can be in the lower middle class and still own a Lexus if that's all you want to spend your hard-earned money on. And how do they know some of those drivers weren't borrowing the car or valeting? Seems flawed.

I'm more inclined to believe that, though there could be a bit of truth to this, behavior tends to be based on upbringing and values.

Or maybe upper class people are just more aggressive and that's how they got ahead?

Interesting to explore.

Butterfly

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?Hmmm...the part about watching the behavior based on the type of car seems a little odd to me. You can be in the lower middle class and still own a Lexus if that's all you want to spend your hard-earned money on. And how do they know some of those drivers weren't borrowing the car or valeting? Seems flawed. I'm more inclined to believe that, though there could be a bit of truth to this, behavior tends to be based on upbringing and values. Or maybe upper class people are just more aggressive and that's how they got ahead? Interesting to explore. Butterfly

nwsmom replied to butterflygarden's response:

I wouldn't know...guess that means I'm not "upper class"! If they mean "rich people", i.e. the upper income group, yes, it seems to be true...some of them seem to feel that they can buy their way out of (or into) anything. But then, I'm on the outside looking up!

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?I wouldn't know...guess that means I'm not "upper class"! If they mean "rich people", i.e. the upper income group, yes, it seems to be true...some of them seem to feel that they can buy their way out of (or into) anything. But then, I'm on the outside looking up!

Iocasta responded:

Yes, I have seen upper class people behaving badly, upper middle class people behaving badly, middle class people behaving badly, lower middle class people behaving badly, working poor people behaving badly, poor people behaving badly, homeless people behaving badly. I haven't seen any serfs behaving badly but that is likely because I haven't seen any serfs of late. Seriously, who writes these questions?

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?Yes, I have seen upper class people behaving badly, upper middle class people behaving badly, middle class people behaving badly, lower middle class people behaving badly, working poor people behaving badly, poor people behaving badly, homeless people behaving badly. I haven't seen any serfs behaving badly but that is likely because I haven't seen any serfs of late. Seriously, who writes these questions?

Rohvannyn replied to Iocasta's response:

Could it be possible that poorer folks break more rules but are better at being sneaky about it? Seriously though, I don't know if we have enough information to answer the question. I think there are certain elements of the self-identified upper class that behave very badly because they can afford the insurance and attorneys to remove personal risk. Of course, it depends on what rules, whether the rules are just, and a host of other factors. I break certain rules all the time but nobody cares because they are minor. I break them because they are nonsensical and because I'm not harming anyone, including myself. So it depends a lot on when and what.

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?Could it be possible that poorer folks break more rules but are better at being sneaky about it? Seriously though, I don't know if we have enough information to answer the question. I think there are certain elements of the self-identified upper class that behave very badly because they can afford the insurance and attorneys to remove personal risk. Of course, it depends on what rules, whether the rules are just, and a host of other factors. I break certain rules all the time but nobody cares because they are minor. I break them because they are nonsensical and because I'm not harming anyone, including myself. So it depends a lot on when and what.

bob249 responded:

If the premise that weath=power is agreed, then

I think powerful people are more likely to bend or break rules related to morality,

while people with less power (wealth) are more likely to bend or break rules of a criminal nature.

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?If the premise that weath=power is agreed, then I think powerful people are more likely to bend or break rules related to morality, while people with less power (wealth) are more likely to bend or break rules of a criminal nature.

shelby_zellner responded:

think for certain people in the upper class since some think they are made of money they can do absolutely anything because they can pay their way out of it

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?think for certain people in the upper class since some think they are made of money they can do absolutely anything because they can pay their way out of it

Kindnesscounts responded:

My kids participated in a traffic watch at their middle school that observed the exact opposite...newer white luxury cars & SUVs driven by 'Moms' were rated as the most courteous, rule-abiding & safety-conscious drivers. (and the most likely to give a 'thank-you' wave!) People will sometimes make good or bad choices regardless of the car they drive or number of years of higher education. Best advice is to follow the Golden Rule.

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?My kids participated in a traffic watch at their middle school that observed the exact opposite...newer white luxury cars & SUVs driven by 'Moms' were rated as the most courteous, rule-abiding & safety-conscious drivers. (and the most likely to give a 'thank-you' wave!) People will sometimes make good or bad choices regardless of the car they drive or number of years of higher education. Best advice is to follow the Golden Rule.

shelby_zellner replied to Kindnesscounts's response:

guess it all just depends on the person...upper-class, middle-class, or lower...its the type of person that gives people good and bad names, as well as setting good or bad examples.

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?guess it all just depends on the person...upper-class, middle-class, or lower...its the type of person that gives people good and bad names, as well as setting good or bad examples.

Anon_475 responded:

What's all this talk about "class" people? Isn't this America?

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?What's all this talk about "class" people? Isn't this America?

Rachael67 replied to Anon_475's response:

You have a point to be sure. But whenther you call it "economic level" or "social status" or whatever, it cannot be argued that folks are not in the same boat when it comes to financial wealth/station.

On the other hand, I had to smile when I see the word "class" as it reminds me of the difference between individuals who are quite classy and those who totally are classless! And it has nothing to do with social position!!

Rachael

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?You have a point to be sure. But whenther you call it "economic level" or "social status" or whatever, it cannot be argued that folks are not in the same boat when it comes to financial wealth/station. On the other hand, I had to smile when I see the word "class" as it reminds me of the difference between individuals who are quite classy and those who totally are classless! And it has nothing to do with social position!! Rachael

JenPBDBP2 responded:

Of course they don't have a right to act badly but they are given a pass because money and prestige have always been able to circumvent rules and regulations. It's always been that way and it always will be for as long as we have class differenciation.

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?Of course they don't have a right to act badly but they are given a pass because money and prestige have always been able to circumvent rules and regulations. It's always been that way and it always will be for as long as we have class differenciation.

CTBeth responded:

1) "Class"? Isn't this America where we do not embrace a caste system?

2) There are persons of EVERY socio-econimic status who "tend to break the rules..."

3) What is the criterion for "upper class"?

4) Have Americans been lead to believe that all persons who have achieved financial success, or come from a wealthy family are dishonest?

Report This| Share this:Do Upper Class People Really Break More Rules?1) "Class"? Isn't this America where we do not embrace a caste system? 2) There are persons of EVERY socio-econimic status who "tend to break the rules..." 3) What is the criterion for "upper class"? 4) Have Americans been lead to believe that all persons who have achieved financial success, or come from a wealthy family are dishonest?

WebMD Talk Show

Feel like a friendly debate? Take the gloves off and defend your viewpoint.

Learn More

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Expert Blog

Diagnosis: Reality Check

Putting perspective on health news and names in the spotlight.Read More

Other Great Information

WebMD News Center Read the latest in health news and features.
WebMD Newsroom Blog Breaking health news at your fingertips.
WebMD Reality Check Blog Your daily dose of reality around fun and intriguing health topics.

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.