[mercer]

> One weird thing- these and some other studies I have read support poorer people have more empathy/make more eye contact in conversation and pay more attention to conversation partners/etc. Why then does that group seem on the whole to have more antagonism towards wealthier people (than vice versa)?

Could be because they have reasons to be angry at the wealthier class as a whole, but do not necessarily apply this on an interpersonal level. It reminds me of the experiments done where a wallet left on the streets is returned more often in poorer areas of town than in richer areas.

I suppose it makes sense. The poorer you are, the more dependent you are on the people around you, and the worse your experiences, the easier it might be to empathize with others (as you 'know' what it is like). On the other hand, the richer you are, the easier it is to get what you want or need without relying on others, and the more difficult it is to empathize with the plight of the 'common man'.