In Case You Haven't Heard…

People with higher incomes tend to feel prouder, more confident and less afraid than people with lower incomes, but not necessarily more compassionate or loving, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. In a study of data from 162 countries, researchers found consistent evidence that higher income predicts whether people feel more positive “self‐regard emotions,” including confidence, pride and determination. Lower income had the opposite effect and predicted negative self‐regard emotions, such as sadness, fear and shame. The findings were similar in both high‐income countries and developing countries, said lead researcher Eddie M. W. Tong, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the National University of Singapore. “The effects of income on our emotional well‐being should not be underestimated,” he said. “Having more money can inspire confidence and determination, while earning less is associated with gloom and anxiety.” The research was published online March 4 in Emotion .