From VICE · Ashley Fike · · 50s
Money Changes Personality, Study Finds
New research shows earning more money can reshape your personality in unexpected ways.
In brief
New research shows earning more money can reshape your personality in unexpected ways. A study of 134,515 adults across five countries found higher income linked to increased conscientiousness and emotional stability but decreased agreeableness and outgoingness. Originally reported by VICE.
New Study Reveals
Researchers analyzed data from 11 long-term studies involving up to 134,515 working adults across five countries.
Higher Income Linked to Personality Shifts
People who earned more became slightly more conscientious and emotionally stable but less agreeable and outgoing.
Possible Explanations
Higher-paying jobs increase responsibility, reducing social interaction and making people less concerned about others' opinions.
Long-Term Effects
Personality changes were strongest a year after income shifts and weakened over time.
The essence
A study of 134,515 adults across five countries found higher income linked to increased conscientiousness and emotional stability but decreased agreeableness and outgoingness.
