3 ms·

I think it's assumed that these are "real" dollar values (ie in the latter case the overall economy would be larger). The point of the study is that people care

I think it's assumed that these are "real" dollar values (ie in the latter case the overall economy would be larger). The point of the study is that people care more about relative status than absolute wealth.

Herring 18y ago
I must be missing something. Do people regularly turn down jobs paying double their current salary ... because others in the new department are getting more? I understand the cost of living in the new city might be higher, or that they prefer shopping around for a better deal, but that's not what the study's saying.
- Retric 18y ago
  In many cases it's relative value that's more important. Take housing, if you make twice the average person in your area housing is not a problem if you make 1/2 it's a major issue. It works the same way for education and other services. The only advantage to an increased economy when you fall behind is hard goods which are not that important. I don't care if I can buy a 70" TV if I can't pay for housing. etc.
- yummyfajitas 18y ago
  I know of one example where someone turned down extra money out of jealousy, albeit under slightly different circumstances. A friend of mine was meeting a guy for a potential arranged marriage. She had a good job working for a large investment bank. A deal killer for the potential husband: the wife can't make more money than him. This was VERY important to him, literally the second or third question he asked her. (Him being a jackass was a deal killer for her.)
- asdflkj 18y ago
  People do regularly choose not to immigrate to a richer country because of similar reasons.
petercooper 18y ago
If they were real dollar values and everyone else were earning double what you were, you might be able to maintain a good lifestyle by current standards, but by the standards of this significantly larger more advanced economy you'd still be relatively "poor" while earning twice today's income. I think the study shows people are inherently aware of this (or at least wired to act in such a way).

Herring 18y ago

I must be missing something. Do people regularly turn down jobs paying double their current salary ... because others in the new department are getting more? I understand the cost of living in the new city might be higher, or that they prefer shopping around for a better deal, but that's not what the study's saying.

Retric 18y ago
In many cases it's relative value that's more important. Take housing, if you make twice the average person in your area housing is not a problem if you make 1/2 it's a major issue. It works the same way for education and other services. The only advantage to an increased economy when you fall behind is hard goods which are not that important. I don't care if I can buy a 70" TV if I can't pay for housing. etc.
yummyfajitas 18y ago
I know of one example where someone turned down extra money out of jealousy, albeit under slightly different circumstances. A friend of mine was meeting a guy for a potential arranged marriage. She had a good job working for a large investment bank. A deal killer for the potential husband: the wife can't make more money than him. This was VERY important to him, literally the second or third question he asked her. (Him being a jackass was a deal killer for her.)
asdflkj 18y ago
People do regularly choose not to immigrate to a richer country because of similar reasons.

petercooper 18y ago

If they were real dollar values and everyone else were earning double what you were, you might be able to maintain a good lifestyle by current standards, but by the standards of this significantly larger more advanced economy you'd still be relatively "poor" while earning twice today's income. I think the study shows people are inherently aware of this (or at least wired to act in such a way).