I definitely will agree that the way we view the world comes from the culture we were raised up in. If we think about it we go off of what we were taught or was around. In my opinion I'm not even sure if empathy exist anymore. Some people just seem so heartless nowadays. Now we all know that when people are asked to fill out some kind of report for their social status or class, people often bend the truth a little. I can see people writing down that they have more empathy than they really do. People care about how society sees them as a person viewing them with a positive aspect. Maybe people with a higher socioeconomic status acts and think that they are better than other people of lower socioeconomic. I would say that's why studies show that they have diminished neural responses to other people's pain. Or maybe they are so into their own lives that they don't look at pain like other people. Another thing could be they have never been in that kind of position to have sympathy for others. I don't know the truth and I'm not judging it's all assumption. I feel like working class people are use to change and things moving around them all the time it's the norm to them that why they had the highest results on the study. All of the interpretation of the last paragraph can be true it depends on how the person grew up and the culture they come from. Cupcake005..
I would agree with your statement but I would have to say that empathy does exist depending on how you was brought up. I am from a small town with a huge family and there was a lot of sadness growing up in this environment. I was 6 years old when the first friend I had died in a house fire, again at age 12 a girl I went to school with died from leukemia. That’s just the people in the small town I grew up in in my family there have been even more loss, I said I have a huge family because my mother has or had 19 brothers and sisters. I have dealt with a lot of loss over the years to know empathy still exists. This may not be the case for everyone in the world because after all we are who we are brought up to be and there is no other like me in every aspect. I do however feel that not everyone knows how to be empathetic or has had to interact in such cases as empathy. Hard to say but I know there are people out there that will see something and say “At least it wasn’t me”. I remember one particular phrase the day of 911 where I was in school watching what was going on and a kid was told to quiet down and watch that this is an attack on the US and the kids’ response to this was “I don’t care what does this have to do with me”. The kid could not show any remorse to what was going on and for those who weren’t watching that day it was all live we seen people jumping to their deaths to escape the buildings. We knew that as each building collapsed that meant 100s of live lost right in front of us because once again we were watching live. BHL005
I most definitely agree with your comment. I do believe that the way we were born and raised and even where we were born and raised can affect how we view people or things in society today. Society has put a lot of expectations on us and a lot of people carry them out. Being in the upper or lower class can affect what things you experience and whether or not if you can understand where someone’s coming from or what they’ve been through. Not saying that upper class people do not have the ability to empathize I just feel like it’s harder for them to understand what someone’s going through because they have so many factors that stop them from experiencing painful things.Food005
I definitely agree with you that the way we are raised and the culture in which we come from greatly impacts the way we see the world. For some it creates the way in which they see it and they only see it in the way they were taught. Others see the world entirely opposite because of the way in which they were taught and they want to escape it. Some people are raised in poverty and in abusive households and so they strive for greatness to escape that lifestyle. And in other cases people are raised in stereotypically perfect rich homes and they do everything they can so not to be in that lifestyle. But most often people just do as they were taught to do. Lucy005
i agree that empathy is fading in both social classes but i feel that since privileged people have to worry so much about what they have they have no time to care about what is going on with others. I believe it all has to do with how you are raised, being raised by my mother in a middle class family i was always taught to be aware of everyone else and also be aware of everyone else's feelings, I feel like everyone has to endure all kinds of changes but everyone's change is different and we should study why privileged people are so emotional detached when it comes to noticing people around them.MelaninQueen005
Empathy is one of those things that you don't see a lot of anymore. I would say there are a lot of parents out there who do care about how their children act and want them to be unselfish. But then there are a lot of parents who don't really care. I believe in the fact that children will act how their parents act and what their parents teach them. If there parents have no empathy, then the kids wont have any empathy. To me thats just how it goes. But I believe empathy still exists you just may not see it as much. PAWW005
The last sentence says it best "privileged" is invisible I agree some rich people look past the less fortunate community, and I say some because not all people are born rich so those who have been through the struggle at times have more of a eye opener to society as a whole being that lived the struggle, but you also have the ones who were born with a "silver spoon" in their mouth who don't ever show any concerns to the poor community will never give to the needy volunteer etc. Not all people born rich are act that way cause some are thought at a young age how to give to their community if not all over the world by volunteering, feeding the homeless, and donation etc. The article also states the way you view the world depends on the culture you come from I agree that those who are less fortunate can be very observant to many surroundings because of their up bringing an their means of survival on a daily basis rather it be good, clothing, shelter. Leathas005
Agreed, people who were just giving their wealth have no idea how society can work without their money. In today's society you see less and less people not doing that though. That they are just giving their mommy and daddy's money. Also the less fortunate seem to know how to interact to people in some instances since they are around people who are either unfortunate just like them or people who have very little. Not all the time though since some people who are unfortunate will bother the working class people, asking for money. Due to whatever reason they can't make their own money. TB005
I completely agree with you, this is nothing new, I feel that because higher class people are set financially they don't really need to depend on other people and are more more focused on their goals and desires rather than other people. While on the other hand lower class people need to depend on other people more financially or it may be just because of their living conditions and they might not have any other choice but to depend on others for help and assistance. This is just one of the many reasons that I love this class because it opens up the doors to discussions. -Annie2016
“The way you view the world depends on the culture you come from — in a granular, second-by-second sense.” This is the perfect statement. A lot of people judge other parts of the world based on what their culture is like. As in “They’re not as good as us so therefore we’re better than them. It doesn't work that way. In some ways I don't like how students fill out surveys about their own social class cause obviously they may stretch the truth a little. I mean, I really wouldn't want people to know that I live in a low social class. I do agree that the rich and the poor see the world differently. I feel like people in the lower class will cherish everything they have more than those that live in the higher classes. Parents in the lower social classes may want to teach their children that you have to work for the things you want. I see that in the real world. I went to high school where the majority live in the lower social class and they worked hard for the things they wanted. If someone is privileged would they work hard for everything? You see that in the real world as well. PAWW005
I will agree that the way you view the world depends on your culture you come from. This statement holds so much value. We as people do judge other parts of the world by our own culture. That's just the way of the world. It's probably because we don't understand why they do what they do. We as people don't think about the fact that there is a reason for everything. We also don't take the time out to understand why, we just judge. I feel the say way that a lot of people do stretch the truth when it comes to surveys. I also get the same feeling that the rich and the poor see the world differently. I also agree that people in lower class do cherish everything more. I tell my children that you have to work for everything you get cause nothing is free. That's definitely a good question would somebody that’s privileged work as hard for everything. In my opinion I'm not sure. Cupcake005...
The opening sentence is a very well written statement. It doesn't only look good it also has a great and truthful meaning behind it. Most people just judge from their point of view without even taking into consideration others. Most people probably don't even do it on purpose. It's human nature to judge and its hard to mature yourself to the point of being able to take a step in someone else's shoes. People who have less will cherish what they have while people who have more things probably wont cherish them nearly as much. Acer005
I feel like the less you have the more sedimental value it gains, unlike the more you have the less important it is because it is replaceable. Honeytea005
Honestly this article is nothing new, the rich or 1% as they are known. Don’t care about the classes below them. Another issue is they don’t have to. Whatever success they have created for themselves and their offspring, they don’t have to share that with anyone else. They accomplished those successes so why should they at all focus on giving away their income away to us in the lower status? Don’t get me wrong; ethically it isn’t right for them to treat the lower class like garbage. I’m not saying they should, but they also shouldn’t have to worry about us financially either. When I look around people either in my work area, classes I take, church I go to, etc. I notice each of us have different lives and different social classes, but unlike the 1% I will look at people on who they are, not how much they make or the type of social class they fit in. We live in a society that we don’t look at each other as humans; we look at each other on the accomplishments we have made, which isn’t a bad thing. But maybe being someone who is rich, it could be annoying for him or her in their success like it is annoying for us not to have what they have. TB005
I agree that wealthy people shouldn't need to worry about us financially. The way you word it, though, sounds like maybe you see the wealthy as a little more than just less empathetic, and more like hardly empathetic at all. I think they are still empathetic on average, just less. I think the reasons for this that were highlighted in the article make a lot of sense. I think something they left out, which is also just speculation, but makes sense to me as well is that people who find themselves in positions where they have more executive decisions to make that affect a larger number of people (such as managers, CEOs, people in political office, etc) can't afford to focus as much on individual needs. They have to stow their empathy at least partially so they can be more effective in their roles as authority figures and leaders. Poet005
Some valid points made but I don't agree with the part that the wealthy people shouldn't have to worry about those less fortunate. I don't think all the less fortunate wants every hand out offered however we have millionaire and billionaires individuals let alone families who don't offer the least amount of donation or even charity work if the middle class can help the less fortunate I'm sure the wealthy can also! Having an open mind to all cultures and let alone your surroundings itself is obviously important to all rather rich or poor. Leathas005
I do believe the way each person views the world is formed from childhood and the culture you grew up in. As for myself, I have experienced low income, comfortable middle class back to low income after my parents divorce back to comfortable in my marriage, back to low income after my divorce to comfortable retirement income. Because of the ups and downs and the experiences surviving in this world, I am very empathetic towards others and learned how to handle money and always have reserves. I feel like my soul is meeting another persons soul and it doesn't matter what covering or status that person has. To make a blanket statement that the rich are not empathetic to others is unfair. Look at the Kennedy's, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, etc. I do believe the people that struggle to survive appreciate everything they have and will give a poor soul help quicker than most rich people. People that have traveled have a better understanding of different cultures and where our country fits into the global arena. Educated people look at cultures with interest instead of suspicion. I feel it's up to each one of us to evaluate our views all through life rich or poor. grandma005
I catch my self generalizing wealthy upper class and how they act towards others, and often envy them for the privilege of only worrying for them self. I agree with you when you say it isn't fair to blanket all of them as not able to be empathetic for others. I value your opinion in the matter because you have been through multiple class statuses. I have always been empathetic. Mostly because, having a larger then normal family we have experienced times where we all need each other to survive and times where some of us can give more and relate more then others and we do with out question. jimmys005
This was an enjoyable read for me. I love when the links between sociological and psychological facts and theories, and adaptation or evolution are acknowledged. The biological and evolutionary perspectives in psychology were always my favorite for this reason; I believe pretty much any trends such as evolutionary need can well explain these. The article mentions possible theories for why higher social class individuals spend less time on empathy and it seems like they are leaning heavily toward the "they don't need to" side of things. I agree with this, but I think it is also true, as pack animals, that human beings are better served by having less empathy when they are positions of authority/leadership. I think the closer you are to a position of authority, the more task oriented you need to be to play your part as best you can. Empathy would interfere with that more often than it aids it. Management positions are a perfect example. Everyone thinks their manager is a jerk. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who thought their manager was a cool or nice person – I’m sure they exist but it is awfully rare. Is it really that they are jerks, though? More likely they seem like jerks because in that position you can’t focus on individual needs and still do a good job. You have to be more focused on the big picture. Poet005
This is an interesting point of view that broadened my thinking more—thank you for that. It makes so much sense. This is why sexism in the work force still exists; society thinks that women are too empathetic to properly execute a job. Women are paid less because they are “more likely to leave the job due to a new baby”, among other reasons that don’t make any sense. Since men are seen as more stern and “cold-hearted” due to our societal norms, they are seen as more fit for higher up positions in businesses. Puppies005
It is not hard to believe the results however I would like to see a research on how the upper class view those of average class with focus on more of who they feel threatened by. If you think about it most films portray the upper class as victims of someone of middle or lower classes. I would think that the upper class because of such films may feel threatened or overly protective to what they have when viewing someone of less stature. Now I am also in Psychology and that class has taught that there can be many small but convenient mistakes made in such a research. I am curious to the amount of empathy they showed or what conditions that they were more empathetic towards. I would have also thought that the upper class would focus more on faces as they are more social, events, dinner parties, or as in meetings such as a CEO. I know I am being stereotypical but I would think that it would be true when you have the money people tend to show it off. That may however only be accepted by the upper class when interacting with those of the same class. I am guilty of avoiding eye contact with those I don’t want to interact with but honestly who wants to hear about everything Xfinity has to offer when I’m just going in to Walmart just to get a couple things and get out. BHL005
That is a good point about the movies maybe the upper class watches movies and puts themselves into the movie. Then when they go out into the real world they are threatened or overly protective in that environment. Maybe when you have the money and social status you feel the need to go show off your money more. That also makes you feel like if someone doesn’t have what you have you can’t associate with them or they are below you. The higher social class also could believe that the lower class has nothing to offer them besides labor or services. Cardinals005.
If you think about it you actually see it on a day to day basis. You may have disregarded because you see the world differently. They are threaten by anyone that don't look like they came from money. It doesn't matter what creed, color or religion you're from. But then again you're doing exactly what the upper class is doing by stereotyping. I think there's good and bad in people no matter how you're brought up. However I do agree with you on how was the people they did the research on. What kind of conditions were they under? How did they determine who was less likely to see faces and know it was pain. A lower class person could have been content where their at and not know pain just from veiwing faces. 12mc-005
I totally believe that culture takes part on how we view people or even the world. We follow customs and rules we were taught when we were younger. I’m from Louisiana, and down south I was taught to be nice, or kind if no one’s ever been rude to me. Not only does your social class affect how you view things. Where your born or raised can also affect your view on things. For example, the north and the south part of the united states are total opposites. When you travel down south you’ll see that people are nicer and even have hospitality. They’ll be more likely to help you if needed. They’ll greet you when you walk into a place or if they see that you need help. In the northern parts of the U.S you won’t see a lot of people helping or greeting strangers on the street. I’m not stereotyping or assuming I’m going off of experience and what I’ve learned. Like with rich people they tend to be more self-centered and only worry about their selves. Kayne west is an outstanding example. Your economic status can surely affect how you empathize with people. The rich tend to believe that their better than the average person so their less than likely to understand someone’s pain if it isn’t theirs. The rich are also privileged because they have factors that protect them from feeling the type of pain that the lower class or middle class go through. So they would have a hard time trying to empathize with someone who’s been through a lot.Food005
It is kind of crazy how we all live in the same world and yet we all percieve things and feel things so differently. It is also kind of sad that the amount of money some one has in their bank account actually affects their perception of others pain. Pain is felt in everyone and status should not change some one wanting to help others. Everyone is a product of their upbringing and when being brought up to view themselves as superior and to not acknowledge those inferior to you, it makes a severe impact on society as a whole because of generation after generation of those with money raising their children to have this mindset. But it also is not just on the side of rich people. Poor people look badly on rich people for their mindset or maybe jealousy or various other reasons that impacted their upbringing and mindset as well. Lucy005
I agree with the fact that the respondents from the higher socioeconomic status have less care about the people in the lower socioeconomic status. The higher socioeconomic don’t have to or has never had to rely on others. So in turn they are more selfish and more full of their self’s. You can see it at grocery stores at times if you got a variety of socioeconomic classes going to the same store. The higher socioeconomic class won’t talk, make eye contact, or even acknowledge other people it seems like they are in their own bubble. Also they would also expect to be helped the quickest and first. This doesn’t go for all the higher socioeconomic class but there is those people out there. The lower socioeconomic class people are more acknowledgeable and friendlier at times. I believe that the lower socioeconomic is more aware of other people because we have to get out and network to survive in the working world. The more you network and meet people now a days it seems like the better chance of becoming successful. Lower socioeconomic class has more people just like them to associate with, talk about their struggles, or talk about how to make a better life for one’s self or family. Cardinals005.
I believe what this article is saying whole-heartedly. I am a bi-racial, middle class, working woman and I have an unbelievably open mindset about the people and scenarios I encounter on a daily basis. With an open mind and an open heart, it is much easier (and more frustrating) to see other’s ways of thinking that may be more conservative. I used to get angry and upset when I would encounter someone that was closeminded about an important topic, like modern racism, because I felt as if everyone should know what it is and that it racism is still alive today. It took me a while to realize that not everyone sees it because not everyone was raised the way I was. There are people that walk this earth with privilege in their back pockets and may never experience any type of suffering because of it. I had to learn to accept that this is just how the world is. It will never change. There is no use in stressing about the amount of ignorance some of the people in the world possess, because it is not anyone’s fault. Empathy is not necessarily something that can be taught, so if some people don’t feel it as much as others, what can we do? Puppies005
i totally agree. How you view society is based on what your culture. People who are high class have less empathy for those around them, i feel because they see it that if they have everything they want do to work which means others around them can do the same. I feel high classes citizens are become so engulfed in themselves and since they have no idea what is like to be in someones shoes who has had to worry about others and not just themselves. Working class citizens have not only themselves but also they might be taking care of others; we pay more attentions to our surrounds due to the fact how we were raised and personally when i was growing up i was taught that you always should be aware or people and surrounds for security reasons but also just in general you never know what someone is going through and who's life you can affect by just smiling at them. I believe high class citizens are worried about protecting themselves are well as there fortune that they don't really take in everyone else that are not on the same social status as them due to wanting to hold on to what they have. MelaninQueen005
I do see what you are saying from the various opinions you have stated, but I would like you to keep in mind what Professor White has said during class. Stereotypes to do not apply to everyone, and there are exceptions. I say this because I seems as if you have placed everyone who is from money into a category with a negative cogitation. Just because people see individuals as one way does not they are like that. I love the point you have made, because it has brought to my attention of how I have done the same thing. When, in actuality, there a multiple people of wealth who care and give back. Unfortunately, it just seems as if we are blinded by the jerks.
Our culture does play a big part in how we view people present state. The upper class could see a person of lower class coming towards them and instantly start laughing, pointing, and saying mean things. Even though they know better it goes back to how to they are and was raised. When it comes to having empathy how could the higher socioeconomic understand it when they have never endured or had to take it on. In order to understand pain you have to of first went through it. Otherwise you can't identify or recognize it. However we have more people understand that status doesn't always define a person worth. More upper class people commit suicide because they dont want anyone to see their pain. Then you have the ones that hide their lower class friends from their family and other friends. I have always been the type to only judge a person or persons on how they treat me. 12mc-005
I agree with you because I've witnessed it firsthand how if you weren't in the popular group and you were trying to express your own style you would get made fun of. the teachers wouldn't do anything about it because to them you're nobody if you arent on the football team or the volleyball team. they're not gonna punish you severely because you're technically making the school great but are you really if you put people down all the time. When I was in school this girl was getting bullied because she loved wearing exotic outfits and just expressed how she felt when she felt it. Coming from a preppy school people thought that she needed to not be so expressive and carry herself how they did. That's where they were wrong, everyone has their own style and personality. Rose005
From my perspective, I agree that the rich see the world in a different manner than the poor which can have multiple advantages, as well as disadvantages. For example, many statistics show that those who come from higher income households are exposed to less violence. It is an advantage that they are far from danger and shall remain safe. It is a disadvantage, because they can potentially lack diversity, which the leads to my next point. Those who come from privilege do not have exposure to diversity, which can be a huge educational tool within life. When I say this I mean those who come from higher income families lack the skill set needed to deal with those from various ethnic and racial backgrounds. In other words, one can lack street smarts. This is a disadvantage, because at some point in time, unfortunately, everyone will encounter some sort of danger. When encountering danger one must decide how he or she will act upon the situation. With exposure to more situations that call for your attention, allows to develop a method of how to handle things. To conclude, those from the other side of the fence face the exact opposite issue, whereas they could potentially face a struggle far too often. When this occurs this the can begin to drags an individual. Unfortunately, when this occurs, via the Domino effect, it will continue to occur and will enhance.
After reading this article, I've come to agree that culture does play a big role in how you view others that are different from you. If you are rich you will be raised much differently from a middle class person and even more so with people who are less fortunate. It's not their fault for having a different view on life, or even their parents. You associate with different people, you go to different places, you even eat different food depending on yours social status. With this comes a different attitude of course. Whether they know it or not, rich people are different than others in more ways then just social status. I've always been part of the middle class for as long as I can remember. Because of this I hung out with other middle class people in my neighborhood, and I'd eat at many fast food places a rich person might not be found dead at. This doesn't mean we have to separate ourselves from each other but sadly this can often happen anyways. There are exceptions to this, as I'm good friends with multiple well off people who are perfectly good people. Just because you are different from someone else that shouldn't mean you cant associate with them. Acer005
Yes, i completely agree with you on your views.In all three of the social classes, there are different hobbies, ways that you talk and ways that you walk. In some cases you are born into money, you earn it or its given to you. Same things when it comes to lower class families, you may have been born into poverty, had money taken away from you or simply just spent it all. But in most cases everyone has been at the bottom before if without something. Why does having money make you so much different than the person who doesnt have money. Money doesnt really make you the person that you are. What if you lost everything that you had today and became poor like the person that you were sticking your nose at, then what? People should just stay humble and treat everyone how you want to be treated. PurpleHearts005
Like the article says, how you see the world depends on your culture and where you are from. It is the same exact way when it comes to how much money you have or your social class. How people act or change when they get money. Will you every see them again? How it is they actually got or earned the money that gives you power or a rep. It all depends on how you were raised and what you were infulenced by. For example lets say I am an African American Male who is poor. I may be poor but in my family, we learned to cherish everything that we have or get. We work hard for everything that we have and family always has each others back. Now generally In the case, The African American man will become rich but because they became a music artist, a ball player or they hit the lottery. At first they may act a fool, go on a spending spree but later remember the people who may have helped along the way and give back. Get his mom a new house, put his siblings in the best schools and donate to a recreational center. Looking a someone who may be Asian, we know that they work hard. They have strict parents and they've always had to be the best. They are the top in their schools, and soon later earns a CEO spot where they are working. They have power for all of the hard work that the put in but maybe because of all of the stress their family puts them through, they get as far away as the can. The person grows more greedy for money and power until it consumes them. Having money can affect a person differently depending on where they came from and how their culture affected them. PurpleHearts005
Culture does play a huge role on how you view others , specifically if they come from a different culture. For example, Christians think you should wait to be married at 18 or older to join together and have children. But in other cultures you would marry as early as 14 and it would be to a 36 year old man. Age isn't a difference there, it's about wealth and how the family will prosper. In other countries you start working in factories when you are in grade school. Not even the minimum wage, so its easier for them to make money without having to pay them the real ammontof labor they put into making the air jordans people pay $150+ when maybe they are made of 30$ material. Also if you come from "money" you are more likely to prosper in life then someone that has 20$ in their pocket and goes and parties all the time. Rose005
I like your statements however I disagree with your last one. from personal experience coming from money doesn't always mean your going to prosper in life. I had a friend who came from nothing but money and her life turned out the exact opposite she became a high school dropout and went to jail for drugs me on the other had with maybe 10 to my name stayed in school got a good job started doing hair and became the "money" all while going to parties almost every weekend. I think it depends on the person because not all people have that mindset. I have seen it first hand for myself "money" doesn't mean anything if you don't have the mindset to match it kyw005
It's basically all revolves around personal choice, sure it may depend on bits of your environment but you do have the choice to turn yourselfor around as for environment at times it may be who's and what's influenced your personal life, leading into the decision of what's the motive that's guiding you through life. Honeytea005
This topic has me at so-so. for starters I somewhat disagree with what is being said about higher social class has less empathy and the part that said something along the lines about being less class you understand for lack of better words "the struggle" and you look to people in that same status. I for starters have been on both sides of the track. ive been a high class pedstal living life but not once did I forget where I came from and who I am that made me into who I am today. on the opposite side of the track I just don't see poor I call it going through for time being. I don’t agree with this saying “It may be that growing up poorer means that you have to rely on others more; it may also mean that you live in a less-secure environment, so you need to attend to others to keep yourself safe.” Because once again being on that side of the tack for me wasn’t true. but I guess this depends on how bad it is for you maybe. However once again not all rich person have less empathy. As I said earlier not once when I was on that rich side did I look at somebody who couldn’t afford the things I could or live where I live differently. I treated everybody the same and with RESPECT! Because one day you have it all and the next day lose it all kyw005
The one thing that had caught my attention and really stuck out to me was that when I was reading and saw that it was stated that "lower-class people are more attuned to people around them" meaning that the lower class people are more receptive and aware of the people around them then a higher class person. I never looked at that statement as meaning that you live in a less-secure environment, so you need to attend to others to keep yourself safe. I really do agree with this statement because I feel that lower class people struggle more than higher class people financially and they understand the struggles and they rely more on other people to help fulfill their needs. But I feel that its opposite for a higher class person because financially they are okay, and they don't struggle, but they are also more focused on their goals and desires other than focusing on other people,so I feel that they think they don't need to be that much attuned to the people around them because they really don't need to be that attuned, they are generally set and don't have as many issues as someone that is in the lower class. -Annie2016
The way your raised deeply reflects on how you'll turn out. But it's not always the case, like Oprah Winfrey she had a rough child hood but you see her standing today. But I feel like there are many factors that may help or not help a person pave their way up through the socioeconomic ladder. It all depends on the persons will and can do attitude for a dramatic change to happen, it's like the society stages if you don't budge from where you are you will be stuck on that stage. Even though my father is a college graduate, at a very young age it was implanted in my head that I need to get a education to make a better life for myself. I am constantly reminded by my family to work hard in my studies so I am in good social standing. Honeytea005
It seems fairly obvious as to why the higher socioeconomic respondents have lower empathy rates than lower socioeconomic respondents. The higher class doesn’t have to go through as much struggle in their life so they don’t have the experience “necessary” to really understand other people’s problems. And it’s the opposite for the lower classes. The lower your class the more struggles you’re more likely to face in life. This concept is something that can be broken down outside of class and culture to help make it more “digestible”. If someone were to break a bone only other people who have broken a bone will truly understand the pain you were in and the uncomfortableness of the cast and all of the nitty gritty details that come with a broken bone. People who have never broken a bone before only know that it hurts and that’s about all. In the metaphor lower socioeconomic respondents are the ones who have broken a bone before and higher socioeconomic respondents haven’t. Spoopy005
This article mentioned that the way that we view the world depends on our culture and where we come from. I completely agree with this statement because i am not going to view the world the same as someone from a different country or someone who has a different believe then me. This is where diversity tends to come into play. Our world, country, and even city, is so diverse because of the different cultures and the ways people view their country or society. For example, a rich person is not going to view life or our world the same as a poor person. Someone who has been through a hard time is going to view the world or their life differently then someone who hasn't had the same experience of that person. Our culture depicts a lot of what we believe in or how we see things. One last example is the use of symbols. Certain symbols mean different things to different cultures and different countries. bball005
Very well stated. People do view life differently, due to their culture, socioeconomic status, and how they were raised in society. You should view the world as you see it and never let someone tell you what you are looking at. But never be afraid to listen to those who are also viewing the same scenario as you. When you realize that everyone is entitled to their opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs then you begin to see the world even that much clearer at times. Diversity is one of the cornerstones of the United States and, at times, we may forget that this is what makes us a better people. By learning to understand that there is a difference in how we view that same topic or situation and, even though we may not agree with them, their view is just as important. As I was growing up I noticed that not everyone believed in some of the customs that I was raised with, nor was I comfortable with some of their customs, and this was still here in the U.S. We are always learning and discovering something new and surprising, not just in the world, but sometimes, in our own back yard. Seoulman005
Social class cultures, upper class, lower class, middle class. The distinction of classes has always been present in society. The upper class, or higher socioeconomic status society, I agree, often feel that they are very empathic and believe that they know what is happening in the world. How aware of the situations in society can one be when you do not have to worry about how this bill is getting paid, where the next meal is coming from, how will college be affordable without some form of assistance. These are everyday problems/situations that confront the majority of the people in the world. When I hear someone who has wealth claim that understand “my” situations I would question their thought process on how to resolve the situation. Middle and lower class socioeconomic society faces these problems on a daily basis, struggling at times, but with a realistic view of how to cope or resolve these situations. Yes, the wealthy do live in a different culture than that of the working class, and will always see the world differently. As working class, we actually take notice of the “little things” that the wealthy may view as trivial and beneath any type of concern. I agree with Varnum’s results from his studies and research, in which he claims that the higher socioeconomic class are less likely to perceive the difficulties of the lower classes, because these situations are easier to resolve for their status than the lower classes. We notice more about our surroundings and try to make do with the situation, rather than brush it off as something too trivial for our time or concern. I like the fact that I can say hello to my neighbor, walk in my neighborhood and “encounter” the world as it happens, and to participate without the Rose Colored Glasses that the Bourgeoisie seem to enjoy wearing. Seoulman005
I definitely will agree that the way we view the world comes from the culture we were raised up in. If we think about it we go off of what we were taught or was around. In my opinion I'm not even sure if empathy exist anymore. Some people just seem so heartless nowadays. Now we all know that when people are asked to fill out some kind of report for their social status or class, people often bend the truth a little. I can see people writing down that they have more empathy than they really do. People care about how society sees them as a person viewing them with a positive aspect. Maybe people with a higher socioeconomic status acts and think that they are better than other people of lower socioeconomic. I would say that's why studies show that they have diminished neural responses to other people's pain. Or maybe they are so into their own lives that they don't look at pain like other people. Another thing could be they have never been in that kind of position to have sympathy for others. I don't know the truth and I'm not judging it's all assumption. I feel like working class people are use to change and things moving around them all the time it's the norm to them that why they had the highest results on the study. All of the interpretation of the last paragraph can be true it depends on how the person grew up and the culture they come from. Cupcake005..
ReplyDeleteI would agree with your statement but I would have to say that empathy does exist depending on how you was brought up. I am from a small town with a huge family and there was a lot of sadness growing up in this environment. I was 6 years old when the first friend I had died in a house fire, again at age 12 a girl I went to school with died from leukemia. That’s just the people in the small town I grew up in in my family there have been even more loss, I said I have a huge family because my mother has or had 19 brothers and sisters. I have dealt with a lot of loss over the years to know empathy still exists. This may not be the case for everyone in the world because after all we are who we are brought up to be and there is no other like me in every aspect. I do however feel that not everyone knows how to be empathetic or has had to interact in such cases as empathy. Hard to say but I know there are people out there that will see something and say “At least it wasn’t me”. I remember one particular phrase the day of 911 where I was in school watching what was going on and a kid was told to quiet down and watch that this is an attack on the US and the kids’ response to this was “I don’t care what does this have to do with me”. The kid could not show any remorse to what was going on and for those who weren’t watching that day it was all live we seen people jumping to their deaths to escape the buildings. We knew that as each building collapsed that meant 100s of live lost right in front of us because once again we were watching live. BHL005
DeleteI most definitely agree with your comment. I do believe that the way we were born and raised and even where we were born and raised can affect how we view people or things in society today. Society has put a lot of expectations on us and a lot of people carry them out. Being in the upper or lower class can affect what things you experience and whether or not if you can understand where someone’s coming from or what they’ve been through. Not saying that upper class people do not have the ability to empathize I just feel like it’s harder for them to understand what someone’s going through because they have so many factors that stop them from experiencing painful things.Food005
DeleteI definitely agree with you that the way we are raised and the culture in which we come from greatly impacts the way we see the world. For some it creates the way in which they see it and they only see it in the way they were taught. Others see the world entirely opposite because of the way in which they were taught and they want to escape it. Some people are raised in poverty and in abusive households and so they strive for greatness to escape that lifestyle. And in other cases people are raised in stereotypically perfect rich homes and they do everything they can so not to be in that lifestyle. But most often people just do as they were taught to do. Lucy005
Deletei agree that empathy is fading in both social classes but i feel that since privileged people have to worry so much about what they have they have no time to care about what is going on with others. I believe it all has to do with how you are raised, being raised by my mother in a middle class family i was always taught to be aware of everyone else and also be aware of everyone else's feelings, I feel like everyone has to endure all kinds of changes but everyone's change is different and we should study why privileged people are so emotional detached when it comes to noticing people around them.MelaninQueen005
DeleteEmpathy is one of those things that you don't see a lot of anymore. I would say there are a lot of parents out there who do care about how their children act and want them to be unselfish. But then there are a lot of parents who don't really care. I believe in the fact that children will act how their parents act and what their parents teach them. If there parents have no empathy, then the kids wont have any empathy. To me thats just how it goes. But I believe empathy still exists you just may not see it as much. PAWW005
DeleteThe last sentence says it best "privileged" is invisible I agree some rich people look past the less fortunate community, and I say some because not all people are born rich so those who have been through the struggle at times have more of a eye opener to society as a whole being that lived the struggle, but you also have the ones who were born with a "silver spoon" in their mouth who don't ever show any concerns to the poor community will never give to the needy volunteer etc. Not all people born rich are act that way cause some are thought at a young age how to give to their community if not all over the world by volunteering, feeding the homeless, and donation etc. The article also states the way you view the world depends on the culture you come from I agree that those who are less fortunate can be very observant to many surroundings because of their up bringing an their means of survival on a daily basis rather it be good, clothing, shelter. Leathas005
ReplyDeleteAgreed, people who were just giving their wealth have no idea how society can work without their money. In today's society you see less and less people not doing that though. That they are just giving their mommy and daddy's money. Also the less fortunate seem to know how to interact to people in some instances since they are around people who are either unfortunate just like them or people who have very little. Not all the time though since some people who are unfortunate will bother the working class people, asking for money. Due to whatever reason they can't make their own money. TB005
DeleteI completely agree with you, this is nothing new, I feel that because higher class people are set financially they don't really need to depend on other people and are more more focused on their goals and desires rather than other people. While on the other hand lower class people need to depend on other people more financially or it may be just because of their living conditions and they might not have any other choice but to depend on others for help and assistance. This is just one of the many reasons that I love this class because it opens up the doors to discussions. -Annie2016
Delete“The way you view the world depends on the culture you come from — in a granular, second-by-second sense.” This is the perfect statement. A lot of people judge other parts of the world based on what their culture is like. As in “They’re not as good as us so therefore we’re better than them. It doesn't work that way. In some ways I don't like how students fill out surveys about their own social class cause obviously they may stretch the truth a little. I mean, I really wouldn't want people to know that I live in a low social class. I do agree that the rich and the poor see the world differently. I feel like people in the lower class will cherish everything they have more than those that live in the higher classes. Parents in the lower social classes may want to teach their children that you have to work for the things you want. I see that in the real world. I went to high school where the majority live in the lower social class and they worked hard for the things they wanted. If someone is privileged would they work hard for everything? You see that in the real world as well. PAWW005
ReplyDeleteI will agree that the way you view the world depends on your culture you come from. This statement holds so much value. We as people do judge other parts of the world by our own culture. That's just the way of the world. It's probably because we don't understand why they do what they do. We as people don't think about the fact that there is a reason for everything. We also don't take the time out to understand why, we just judge. I feel the say way that a lot of people do stretch the truth when it comes to surveys. I also get the same feeling that the rich and the poor see the world differently. I also agree that people in lower class do cherish everything more. I tell my children that you have to work for everything you get cause nothing is free. That's definitely a good question would somebody that’s privileged work as hard for everything. In my opinion I'm not sure. Cupcake005...
DeleteThe opening sentence is a very well written statement. It doesn't only look good it also has a great and truthful meaning behind it. Most people just judge from their point of view without even taking into consideration others. Most people probably don't even do it on purpose. It's human nature to judge and its hard to mature yourself to the point of being able to take a step in someone else's shoes. People who have less will cherish what they have while people who have more things probably wont cherish them nearly as much. Acer005
DeleteI feel like the less you have the more sedimental value it gains, unlike the more you have the less important it is because it is replaceable. Honeytea005
DeleteHonestly this article is nothing new, the rich or 1% as they are known. Don’t care about the classes below them. Another issue is they don’t have to. Whatever success they have created for themselves and their offspring, they don’t have to share that with anyone else. They accomplished those successes so why should they at all focus on giving away their income away to us in the lower status? Don’t get me wrong; ethically it isn’t right for them to treat the lower class like garbage. I’m not saying they should, but they also shouldn’t have to worry about us financially either. When I look around people either in my work area, classes I take, church I go to, etc. I notice each of us have different lives and different social classes, but unlike the 1% I will look at people on who they are, not how much they make or the type of social class they fit in. We live in a society that we don’t look at each other as humans; we look at each other on the accomplishments we have made, which isn’t a bad thing. But maybe being someone who is rich, it could be annoying for him or her in their success like it is annoying for us not to have what they have. TB005
ReplyDeleteI agree that wealthy people shouldn't need to worry about us financially. The way you word it, though, sounds like maybe you see the wealthy as a little more than just less empathetic, and more like hardly empathetic at all. I think they are still empathetic on average, just less. I think the reasons for this that were highlighted in the article make a lot of sense. I think something they left out, which is also just speculation, but makes sense to me as well is that people who find themselves in positions where they have more executive decisions to make that affect a larger number of people (such as managers, CEOs, people in political office, etc) can't afford to focus as much on individual needs. They have to stow their empathy at least partially so they can be more effective in their roles as authority figures and leaders. Poet005
DeleteSome valid points made but I don't agree with the part that the wealthy people shouldn't have to worry about those less fortunate. I don't think all the less fortunate wants every hand out offered however we have millionaire and billionaires individuals let alone families who don't offer the least amount of donation or even charity work if the middle class can help the less fortunate I'm sure the wealthy can also! Having an open mind to all cultures and let alone your surroundings itself is obviously important to all rather rich or poor. Leathas005
DeleteI do believe the way each person views the world is formed from childhood and the culture you grew up in. As for myself, I have experienced low income, comfortable middle class back to low income after my parents divorce back to comfortable in my marriage, back to low income after my divorce to comfortable retirement income. Because of the ups and downs and the experiences surviving in this world, I am very empathetic towards others and learned how to handle money and always have reserves. I feel like my soul is meeting another persons soul and it doesn't matter what covering or status that person has. To make a blanket statement that the rich are not empathetic to others is unfair. Look at the Kennedy's, Ghandi, Mother
ReplyDeleteTheresa, etc. I do believe the people that struggle to survive appreciate everything they have and will give a poor soul help quicker than most rich people. People that have traveled have a better understanding of different cultures and where our country fits into the global arena. Educated people look at cultures with interest instead of suspicion. I feel it's up to each one of us to evaluate our views all through life rich or poor. grandma005
I catch my self generalizing wealthy upper class and how they act towards others, and often envy them for the privilege of only worrying for them self. I agree with you when you say it isn't fair to blanket all of them as not able to be empathetic for others. I value your opinion in the matter because you have been through multiple class statuses. I have always been empathetic. Mostly because, having a larger then normal family we have experienced times where we all need each other to survive and times where some of us can give more and relate more then others and we do with out question. jimmys005
DeleteThis was an enjoyable read for me. I love when the links between sociological and psychological facts and theories, and adaptation or evolution are acknowledged. The biological and evolutionary perspectives in psychology were always my favorite for this reason; I believe pretty much any trends such as evolutionary need can well explain these. The article mentions possible theories for why higher social class individuals spend less time on empathy and it seems like they are leaning heavily toward the "they don't need to" side of things. I agree with this, but I think it is also true, as pack animals, that human beings are better served by having less empathy when they are positions of authority/leadership. I think the closer you are to a position of authority, the more task oriented you need to be to play your part as best you can. Empathy would interfere with that more often than it aids it. Management positions are a perfect example. Everyone thinks their manager is a jerk. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who thought their manager was a cool or nice person – I’m sure they exist but it is awfully rare. Is it really that they are jerks, though? More likely they seem like jerks because in that position you can’t focus on individual needs and still do a good job. You have to be more focused on the big picture. Poet005
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting point of view that broadened my thinking more—thank you for that. It makes so much sense. This is why sexism in the work force still exists; society thinks that women are too empathetic to properly execute a job. Women are paid less because they are “more likely to leave the job due to a new baby”, among other reasons that don’t make any sense. Since men are seen as more stern and “cold-hearted” due to our societal norms, they are seen as more fit for higher up positions in businesses. Puppies005
DeleteIt is not hard to believe the results however I would like to see a research on how the upper class view those of average class with focus on more of who they feel threatened by. If you think about it most films portray the upper class as victims of someone of middle or lower classes. I would think that the upper class because of such films may feel threatened or overly protective to what they have when viewing someone of less stature. Now I am also in Psychology and that class has taught that there can be many small but convenient mistakes made in such a research. I am curious to the amount of empathy they showed or what conditions that they were more empathetic towards. I would have also thought that the upper class would focus more on faces as they are more social, events, dinner parties, or as in meetings such as a CEO. I know I am being stereotypical but I would think that it would be true when you have the money people tend to show it off. That may however only be accepted by the upper class when interacting with those of the same class. I am guilty of avoiding eye contact with those I don’t want to interact with but honestly who wants to hear about everything Xfinity has to offer when I’m just going in to Walmart just to get a couple things and get out. BHL005
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point about the movies maybe the upper class watches movies and puts themselves into the movie. Then when they go out into the real world they are threatened or overly protective in that environment. Maybe when you have the money and social status you feel the need to go show off your money more. That also makes you feel like if someone doesn’t have what you have you can’t associate with them or they are below you. The higher social class also could believe that the lower class has nothing to offer them besides labor or services. Cardinals005.
DeleteIf you think about it you actually see it on a day to day basis. You may have disregarded because you see the world differently. They are threaten by anyone that don't look like they came from money. It doesn't matter what creed, color or religion you're from. But then again you're doing exactly what the upper class is doing by stereotyping. I think there's good and bad in people no matter how you're brought up. However I do agree with you on how was the people they did the research on. What kind of conditions were they under? How did they determine who was less likely to see faces and know it was pain. A lower class person could have been content where their at and not know pain just from veiwing faces. 12mc-005
DeleteI totally believe that culture takes part on how we view people or even the world. We follow customs and rules we were taught when we were younger. I’m from Louisiana, and down south I was taught to be nice, or kind if no one’s ever been rude to me. Not only does your social class affect how you view things. Where your born or raised can also affect your view on things. For example, the north and the south part of the united states are total opposites. When you travel down south you’ll see that people are nicer and even have hospitality. They’ll be more likely to help you if needed. They’ll greet you when you walk into a place or if they see that you need help. In the northern parts of the U.S you won’t see a lot of people helping or greeting strangers on the street. I’m not stereotyping or assuming I’m going off of experience and what I’ve learned. Like with rich people they tend to be more self-centered and only worry about their selves. Kayne west is an outstanding example. Your economic status can surely affect how you empathize with people. The rich tend to believe that their better than the average person so their less than likely to understand someone’s pain if it isn’t theirs. The rich are also privileged because they have factors that protect them from feeling the type of pain that the lower class or middle class go through. So they would have a hard time trying to empathize with someone who’s been through a lot.Food005
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of crazy how we all live in the same world and yet we all percieve things and feel things so differently. It is also kind of sad that the amount of money some one has in their bank account actually affects their perception of others pain. Pain is felt in everyone and status should not change some one wanting to help others. Everyone is a product of their upbringing and when being brought up to view themselves as superior and to not acknowledge those inferior to you, it makes a severe impact on society as a whole because of generation after generation of those with money raising their children to have this mindset. But it also is not just on the side of rich people. Poor people look badly on rich people for their mindset or maybe jealousy or various other reasons that impacted their upbringing and mindset as well. Lucy005
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that the respondents from the higher socioeconomic status have less care about the people in the lower socioeconomic status. The higher socioeconomic don’t have to or has never had to rely on others. So in turn they are more selfish and more full of their self’s. You can see it at grocery stores at times if you got a variety of socioeconomic classes going to the same store. The higher socioeconomic class won’t talk, make eye contact, or even acknowledge other people it seems like they are in their own bubble. Also they would also expect to be helped the quickest and first. This doesn’t go for all the higher socioeconomic class but there is those people out there. The lower socioeconomic class people are more acknowledgeable and friendlier at times. I believe that the lower socioeconomic is more aware of other people because we have to get out and network to survive in the working world. The more you network and meet people now a days it seems like the better chance of becoming successful. Lower socioeconomic class has more people just like them to associate with, talk about their struggles, or talk about how to make a better life for one’s self or family. Cardinals005.
ReplyDeleteI believe what this article is saying whole-heartedly. I am a bi-racial, middle class, working woman and I have an unbelievably open mindset about the people and scenarios I encounter on a daily basis. With an open mind and an open heart, it is much easier (and more frustrating) to see other’s ways of thinking that may be more conservative. I used to get angry and upset when I would encounter someone that was closeminded about an important topic, like modern racism, because I felt as if everyone should know what it is and that it racism is still alive today. It took me a while to realize that not everyone sees it because not everyone was raised the way I was. There are people that walk this earth with privilege in their back pockets and may never experience any type of suffering because of it. I had to learn to accept that this is just how the world is. It will never change. There is no use in stressing about the amount of ignorance some of the people in the world possess, because it is not anyone’s fault. Empathy is not necessarily something that can be taught, so if some people don’t feel it as much as others, what can we do? Puppies005
ReplyDeletei totally agree. How you view society is based on what your culture. People who are high class have less empathy for those around them, i feel because they see it that if they have everything they want do to work which means others around them can do the same. I feel high classes citizens are become so engulfed in themselves and since they have no idea what is like to be in someones shoes who has had to worry about others and not just themselves. Working class citizens have not only themselves but also they might be taking care of others; we pay more attentions to our surrounds due to the fact how we were raised and personally when i was growing up i was taught that you always should be aware or people and surrounds for security reasons but also just in general you never know what someone is going through and who's life you can affect by just smiling at them. I believe high class citizens are worried about protecting themselves are well as there fortune that they don't really take in everyone else that are not on the same social status as them due to wanting to hold on to what they have. MelaninQueen005
ReplyDeleteI do see what you are saying from the various opinions you have stated, but I would like you to keep in mind what Professor White has said during class. Stereotypes to do not apply to everyone, and there are exceptions. I say this because I seems as if you have placed everyone who is from money into a category with a negative cogitation. Just because people see individuals as one way does not they are like that. I love the point you have made, because it has brought to my attention of how I have done the same thing. When, in actuality, there a multiple people of wealth who care and give back. Unfortunately, it just seems as if we are blinded by the jerks.
DeleteS&D005
Our culture does play a big part in how we view people present state. The upper class could see a person of lower class coming towards them and instantly start laughing, pointing, and saying mean things. Even though they know better it goes back to how to they are and was raised. When it comes to having empathy how could the higher socioeconomic understand it when they have never endured or had to take it on. In order to understand pain you have to of first went through it. Otherwise you can't identify or recognize it. However we have more people understand that status doesn't always define a person worth. More upper class people commit suicide because they dont want anyone to see their pain. Then you have the ones that hide their lower class friends from their family and other friends. I have always been the type to only judge a person or persons on how they treat me. 12mc-005
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because I've witnessed it firsthand how if you weren't in the popular group and you were trying to express your own style you would get made fun of. the teachers wouldn't do anything about it because to them you're nobody if you arent on the football team or the volleyball team. they're not gonna punish you severely because you're technically making the school great but are you really if you put people down all the time. When I was in school this girl was getting bullied because she loved wearing exotic outfits and just expressed how she felt when she felt it. Coming from a preppy school people thought that she needed to not be so expressive and carry herself how they did. That's where they were wrong, everyone has their own style and personality. Rose005
DeleteFrom my perspective, I agree that the rich see the world in a different manner than the poor which can have multiple advantages, as well as disadvantages. For example, many statistics show that those who come from higher income households are exposed to less violence. It is an advantage that they are far from danger and shall remain safe. It is a disadvantage, because they can potentially lack diversity, which the leads to my next point. Those who come from privilege do not have exposure to diversity, which can be a huge educational tool within life. When I say this I mean those who come from higher income families lack the skill set needed to deal with those from various ethnic and racial backgrounds. In other words, one can lack street smarts. This is a disadvantage, because at some point in time, unfortunately, everyone will encounter some sort of danger. When encountering danger one must decide how he or she will act upon the situation. With exposure to more situations that call for your attention, allows to develop a method of how to handle things. To conclude, those from the other side of the fence face the exact opposite issue, whereas they could potentially face a struggle far too often. When this occurs this the can begin to drags an individual. Unfortunately, when this occurs, via the Domino effect, it will continue to occur and will enhance.
ReplyDeleteS&D005
After reading this article, I've come to agree that culture does play a big role in how you view others that are different from you. If you are rich you will be raised much differently from a middle class person and even more so with people who are less fortunate. It's not their fault for having a different view on life, or even their parents. You associate with different people, you go to different places, you even eat different food depending on yours social status. With this comes a different attitude of course. Whether they know it or not, rich people are different than others in more ways then just social status. I've always been part of the middle class for as long as I can remember. Because of this I hung out with other middle class people in my neighborhood, and I'd eat at many fast food places a rich person might not be found dead at. This doesn't mean we have to separate ourselves from each other but sadly this can often happen anyways. There are exceptions to this, as I'm good friends with multiple well off people who are perfectly good people. Just because you are different from someone else that shouldn't mean you cant associate with them. Acer005
ReplyDeleteYes, i completely agree with you on your views.In all three of the social classes, there are different hobbies, ways that you talk and ways that you walk. In some cases you are born into money, you earn it or its given to you. Same things when it comes to lower class families, you may have been born into poverty, had money taken away from you or simply just spent it all. But in most cases everyone has been at the bottom before if without something. Why does having money make you so much different than the person who doesnt have money. Money doesnt really make you the person that you are. What if you lost everything that you had today and became poor like the person that you were sticking your nose at, then what? People should just stay humble and treat everyone how you want to be treated. PurpleHearts005
DeleteLike the article says, how you see the world depends on your culture and where you are from. It is the same exact way when it comes to how much money you have or your social class. How people act or change when they get money. Will you every see them again? How it is they actually got or earned the money that gives you power or a rep. It all depends on how you were raised and what you were infulenced by. For example lets say I am an African American Male who is poor. I may be poor but in my family, we learned to cherish everything that we have or get. We work hard for everything that we have and family always has each others back. Now generally In the case, The African American man will become rich but because they became a music artist, a ball player or they hit the lottery. At first they may act a fool, go on a spending spree but later remember the people who may have helped along the way and give back. Get his mom a new house, put his siblings in the best schools and donate to a recreational center. Looking a someone who may be Asian, we know that they work hard. They have strict parents and they've always had to be the best. They are the top in their schools, and soon later earns a CEO spot where they are working. They have power for all of the hard work that the put in but maybe because of all of the stress their family puts them through, they get as far away as the can. The person grows more greedy for money and power until it consumes them. Having money can affect a person differently depending on where they came from and how their culture affected them. PurpleHearts005
ReplyDeleteCulture does play a huge role on how you view others , specifically if they come from a different culture. For example, Christians think you should wait to be married at 18 or older to join together and have children. But in other cultures you would marry as early as 14 and it would be to a 36 year old man. Age isn't a difference there, it's about wealth and how the family will prosper. In other countries you start working in factories when you are in grade school. Not even the minimum wage, so its easier for them to make money without having to pay them the real ammontof labor they put into making the air jordans people pay $150+ when maybe they are made of 30$ material. Also if you come from "money" you are more likely to prosper in life then someone that has 20$ in their pocket and goes and parties all the time. Rose005
ReplyDeleteI like your statements however I disagree with your last one. from personal experience coming from money doesn't always mean your going to prosper in life. I had a friend who came from nothing but money and her life turned out the exact opposite she became a high school dropout and went to jail for drugs me on the other had with maybe 10 to my name stayed in school got a good job started doing hair and became the "money" all while going to parties almost every weekend. I think it depends on the person because not all people have that mindset. I have seen it first hand for myself "money" doesn't mean anything if you don't have the mindset to match it
Deletekyw005
It's basically all revolves around personal choice, sure it may depend on bits of your environment but you do have the choice to turn yourselfor around as for environment at times it may be who's and what's influenced your personal life, leading into the decision of what's the motive that's guiding you through life. Honeytea005
DeleteThis topic has me at so-so. for starters I somewhat disagree with what is being said about higher social class has less empathy and the part that said something along the lines about being less class you understand for lack of better words "the struggle" and you look to people in that same status. I for starters have been on both sides of the track. ive been a high class pedstal living life but not once did I forget where I came from and who I am that made me into who I am today. on the opposite side of the track I just don't see poor I call it going through for time being. I don’t agree with this saying “It may be that growing up poorer means that you have to rely on others more; it may also mean that you live in a less-secure environment, so you need to attend to others to keep yourself safe.” Because once again being on that side of the tack for me wasn’t true. but I guess this depends on how bad it is for you maybe. However once again not all rich person have less empathy. As I said earlier not once when I was on that rich side did I look at somebody who couldn’t afford the things I could or live where I live differently. I treated everybody the same and with RESPECT! Because one day you have it all and the next day lose it all
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The one thing that had caught my attention and really stuck out to me was that when I was reading and saw that it was stated that "lower-class people are more attuned to people around them" meaning that the lower class people are more receptive and aware of the people around them then a higher class person. I never looked at that statement as meaning that you live in a less-secure environment, so you need to attend to others to keep yourself safe. I really do agree with this statement because I feel that lower class people struggle more than higher class people financially and they understand the struggles and they rely more on other people to help fulfill their needs. But I feel that its opposite for a higher class person because financially they are okay, and they don't struggle, but they are also more focused on their goals and desires other than focusing on other people,so I feel that they think they don't need to be that much attuned to the people around them because they really don't need to be that attuned, they are generally set and don't have as many issues as someone that is in the lower class. -Annie2016
ReplyDeleteThe way your raised deeply reflects on how you'll turn out. But it's not always the case, like Oprah Winfrey she had a rough child hood but you see her standing today. But I feel like there are many factors that may help or not help a person pave their way up through the socioeconomic ladder. It all depends on the persons will and can do attitude for a dramatic change to happen, it's like the society stages if you don't budge from where you are you will be stuck on that stage. Even though my father is a college graduate, at a very young age it was implanted in my head that I need to get a education to make a better life for myself. I am constantly reminded by my family to work hard in my studies so I am in good social standing. Honeytea005
ReplyDeleteIt seems fairly obvious as to why the higher socioeconomic respondents have lower empathy rates than lower socioeconomic respondents. The higher class doesn’t have to go through as much struggle in their life so they don’t have the experience “necessary” to really understand other people’s problems. And it’s the opposite for the lower classes. The lower your class the more struggles you’re more likely to face in life. This concept is something that can be broken down outside of class and culture to help make it more “digestible”. If someone were to break a bone only other people who have broken a bone will truly understand the pain you were in and the uncomfortableness of the cast and all of the nitty gritty details that come with a broken bone. People who have never broken a bone before only know that it hurts and that’s about all. In the metaphor lower socioeconomic respondents are the ones who have broken a bone before and higher socioeconomic respondents haven’t. Spoopy005
ReplyDeleteThis article mentioned that the way that we view the world depends on our culture and where we come from. I completely agree with this statement because i am not going to view the world the same as someone from a different country or someone who has a different believe then me. This is where diversity tends to come into play. Our world, country, and even city, is so diverse because of the different cultures and the ways people view their country or society. For example, a rich person is not going to view life or our world the same as a poor person. Someone who has been through a hard time is going to view the world or their life differently then someone who hasn't had the same experience of that person. Our culture depicts a lot of what we believe in or how we see things. One last example is the use of symbols. Certain symbols mean different things to different cultures and different countries. bball005
ReplyDeleteVery well stated. People do view life differently, due to their culture, socioeconomic status, and how they were raised in society. You should view the world as you see it and never let someone tell you what you are looking at. But never be afraid to listen to those who are also viewing the same scenario as you. When you realize that everyone is entitled to their opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs then you begin to see the world even that much clearer at times. Diversity is one of the cornerstones of the United States and, at times, we may forget that this is what makes us a better people. By learning to understand that there is a difference in how we view that same topic or situation and, even though we may not agree with them, their view is just as important. As I was growing up I noticed that not everyone believed in some of the customs that I was raised with, nor was I comfortable with some of their customs, and this was still here in the U.S. We are always learning and discovering something new and surprising, not just in the world, but sometimes, in our own back yard. Seoulman005
DeleteSocial class cultures, upper class, lower class, middle class. The distinction of classes has always been present in society. The upper class, or higher socioeconomic status society, I agree, often feel that they are very empathic and believe that they know what is happening in the world. How aware of the situations in society can one be when you do not have to worry about how this bill is getting paid, where the next meal is coming from, how will college be affordable without some form of assistance. These are everyday problems/situations that confront the majority of the people in the world. When I hear someone who has wealth claim that understand “my” situations I would question their thought process on how to resolve the situation. Middle and lower class socioeconomic society faces these problems on a daily basis, struggling at times, but with a realistic view of how to cope or resolve these situations. Yes, the wealthy do live in a different culture than that of the working class, and will always see the world differently. As working class, we actually take notice of the “little things” that the wealthy may view as trivial and beneath any type of concern. I agree with Varnum’s results from his studies and research, in which he claims that the higher socioeconomic class are less likely to perceive the difficulties of the lower classes, because these situations are easier to resolve for their status than the lower classes. We notice more about our surroundings and try to make do with the situation, rather than brush it off as something too trivial for our time or concern. I like the fact that I can say hello to my neighbor, walk in my neighborhood and “encounter” the world as it happens, and to participate without the Rose Colored Glasses that the Bourgeoisie seem to enjoy wearing. Seoulman005
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