The study showed that people of a lower class had more empathy and compassion to others than those who were richer.

Few people have much sympathy for the rich who have lost millions in the latest share price crash. But then a new study has revealed the wealthy are unlikely to be bothered about those who are struggling to make ends meet.

According to psychologist and social scientist Dacher Keltner the rich are usually self-obsessed and only worried about their own well being.

Keltner said they were 'less empathetic, less altruisticand generally more selfish' as a result of having so much money.

He said they have an 'ideology of self interest' and more likely to think about themselves whereas those less well off were more likely to help others.

'We have now done 12 separate studies measuring empathy in every way imaginable, social behaviour in every way, and some work on compassion and it’s the same story,' he said.

'Lower class people just show more empathy, more prosocialbehavior, more compassion, no matter how you look at it.'

Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, said the rich tend to stay focused on themselves. He said wealth, education and prestige and a higher station in life gave them the freedom to only worry about themselves.

To prove his point Keltner video recorded various groups of people in conversation. He said rich people appeared more distracted, checking mobile phones, doodlingand avoiding eye contact.

Those on lower income made eye contact with the person they were talking with and nod their heads more frequently signaling they were interested in what was being said.

The psychologist also used data from 115 people playing what is called the 'dictator game'.