Ig Nobel Prizes Honor Study Suggesting Wealthy Are More Likely to Behave Badly

A study suggesting that wealthier individuals may be more likely to engage in dishonest or self-serving behavior was among the winners of the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes, according to a video report published by The Guardian.

The Ig Nobel prizes, now in their annual tradition, honor research described as work that "makes you laugh and then think." This year's awards included a study that appeared to confirm popular suspicions about the ethical conduct of the wealthy, framed by the report with the question of who is more likely to "steal sweets from a child."

In the video, Guardian science editor Ian Sample discussed the findings with presenter Madeleine Finlay, outlining what researchers believe could explain the phenomenon, though specific details of the study's methodology were not elaborated in the available report.

The report also highlighted other prize-winning research from this year's Ig Nobel ceremony, including a study identifying an unexpected quality that people look for in friends, and another that offered a biomechanical definition of kissing.

The Ig Nobel prizes are typically awarded for research that, despite its often unconventional or amusing framing, is intended to prompt further reflection on real scientific or social questions. The Guardian's report did not specify the names of the researchers or institutions behind the winning studies.