Think the less fortunate are more dispensed to throw out dignity and propriety when needed most? Think again.

A new study jointly conducted by researchers at the University of California Berkeley (UCB) and the University of Toronto showed that those who have more were most likely to take advantage of their better status while those who have just enough seemed more content and willing to give way, and even share when necessary.

The study findings were recently published by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).

AFP said psychologists from the two institutions observed the behaviours of subjects in a seven-series experiment that bared the surprising reactions of those who deem themselves as rich and those who call themselves as poor.

What were seen were of astonishing, according to lead researcher Paul Piff of the UCB, revealing that the experiments pointed to the apparent disturbing behaviour of the self-described rich.

On specific situations, these privileged individuals were more likely to cheat, three times at least than their poor counterparts, and would be willing to have more than they need, as oppose to the poor, who appeared happy enough relishing a single stick of candy in one situation.

Other experimental situation revealed drivers in flashy Mercedes Benz and BMW hardly observing traffic rules while those behind the wheels of a Toyota or a Honda came out as more obedient to traffic rules.

In gambling, those who can afford to play high-stake bets have the higher propensity to lie on their cards and numbers, given the chance, while the ones with not-too-deep pockets appeared ready to play with honesty on their side.

"It really shows the extreme lengths to which wealth and upper rank status in society can shape patterns of self-interest and unethicality," the new study was reported by AFP as saying.

Mr Piff also shared that the experiments reinforced too his earlier findings that poor people are more generous when it comes to charity as compared to the ratio of amount that the rich gives to the needy.

Such appalling attitude can be traced on behavioural formation that convinced the more fortunate to regard greed as a mere component of competitiveness and further advancement, Mr Piff said.

And as they get richer, they become more independent and rely less on vital support groups such as family and friends but in the process cutting off their link on dynamics of the society and somewhat blurring their concept of reality, the new study said.

"It is that very different level of privilege in your everyday life that gives rise to this independence from others, this reduced sensitivity to the impact of your behaviour on others' welfare, and the prioritisation of your self-interest," Mr Piff said.

Mr Piff noted too that self-interest has become "a more fundamental motive among society's elite, and the increased want associated with greater wealth and status can promote wrongdoing."

The study, however, pointed out that notable exceptions still exist such as Bill Gates, who had made his billions in Microsoft but had already indicated his willingness to give out more than half of his bountiful haul to charity.

Mr Gates maintains a foundation that focuses on uplifting the lives of the poor around the world by funding scientific and medical researches.