So who’s more caring, Scrooge or Bob Cratchit?

WHEN Dickens wrote a Christmas Carol, he was clearly onto something with Ebenezer Scrooge.

A study claims that having more money makes you proud and self-satisfied – just like the famous miser – while those who earn less tend to be more loving.

The moral of the research, just as in the novel, appears to be that money makes people more self-oriented. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, looked at seven types of happiness, and found those with more money have more pride and contentment, stating ‘I feel satisfied more often than most people’.

By comparison, those who are worse off – such as Scrooge’s downtrodden clerk, Bob Cratchit – feel more loving, are more compassionate and have a greater sense of awe. Lead author Dr Paul Piff said: ‘What seems to be the case is that your wealth predisposes you to different kinds of happiness.’

The findings, published in the journal Emotion, suggest the reason for this is that those who are worse off face more threats.

The study states: ‘Whereas pride and contentment may reflect upper- class individuals’ desire for independence and self- sufficiency, increased love and compassion may help lower- class individuals form more harmonious, interdependent, bonds to help cope with their more threatening environments.’

Dr Piff said: ‘These findings suggest that lower-income individuals have devised ways to cope, to find meaning, joy and happiness in their lives despite their relatively less favourable circumstances.’