We all have numerous examples of extreme human egoism and acts out of nothing but pure self interest. The saying goes that ”each one is himself closest”. This tendency to prior the welfare of oneself, and those how are closest and family, is most probably programmed deep into our genes.
Its however also a fact that non-egoistic and prosocial behavior actually do happen. We give money to charity, to aid organizations or we just give someone a helping hand.
So, why are some people more egoistic and other more genereous towards those in need?
There are of course several reasons, and personality most certainly plays an important role.
In a paper published in Journal of personality and social psychology in 2010, see full reference below, some quite interesting results were presented.
People in lower social classes, and of lower socioeconomic status, that is, ”poorer people” were found more likely to be generous and helpful towards people in need. That is more likely to act prosocial and to prioritize the welfare of others.
Upper class people, altough they had more resources and hence more ”economical power” were on average less likely to be generous, helpful and to act prosocially.
Piff, P. K., Kraus, M. W., Côté, S., Cheng, B. H., & Keltner, D. (2010). Having less, giving more: the influence of social class on prosocial behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 99(5), 771.