1) yes, they believe that in part because it's an ego boost, but 2) there are values, behaviors, attitudes, patterns of speech, and so on, that are socialized i

1) yes, they believe that in part because it's an ego boost, but 2) there are values, behaviors, attitudes, patterns of speech, and so on, that are socialized in at an early age and damn hard to consistently, convincingly fake later in life, made even harder because lots of them do rely on having had money available, if only to gain access to the places and activities where the socialization takes place. Prep school, "Summering" the right places, clubs, and so on. It doesn't so much matter that their attitudes and behaviors are strictly better, but that conforming to them and knowing about the things they know and being able to relate to them that way lets you network on a level those "under" them cannot, reinforcing the class hierarchy. You may be able to get a country club sponsorship on the power of your income, but someone else might swing it by being able to talk sailing or swapping prep school stories with their boss—and oh hey you play squash my brother needs a partner, you're not a member there well we'll have to fix that, you know there's a position open with one of our funds upstairs that I think you'd suit just fine, let me make a call or two...