The Association for Pyschological Science looks at research undertaken by a team of behavioural researchers on the tendency to overearn. The idea behind it was that overearning is a throwback in time to when people would gather resources not for the sake of happiness but simply for survival.
They carried out a series of experiments, with the aid of chocolates, and came to the conclusion that ”Overearners forgo the pleasure of leisure and endure the pain of extra work”. Overearners also have a detrimental effect in the workplace by imposing their work habits on others and a negative effect at home as they have less time to spend with loved ones.
High Earnings Can Hamper Happiness – Association for Psychological Science.
