Ig Nobel Prize: Are wealthy people more likely to steal sweets from a child?
A study suggesting that wealthy people are more likely to steal sweets from a child is among the winners of the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes. The awards honor research that first makes people laugh and then makes them think.
The Ig Nobel prizes, which celebrate scientific achievements that make you laugh and then reflect, have recognized a study this year that appears to confirm suspicions about the moral behavior of wealthy individuals. According to the research, rich people may be more inclined to steal sweets from a child than others.
The study was named one of the winners of the 2026 Ig Nobel awards. In a video report, The Guardian's science editor Ian Sample explains to Madeleine Finlay what researchers believe could be behind this phenomenon. The report also looks at other prizes awarded this year, including one for a surprising quality people look for in their friends and another that offers a biomechanical definition of a kiss.
Ig Nobel prizes are known for highlighting quirky or unexpected research, and this year's list continues that tradition. The winning studies touch on everyday human behaviors, from moral choices in social situations to the ways we form friendships and even how we physically express affection. While the topic may seem amusing at first glance, the research raises deeper questions about human nature and social psychology.
The awards serve as a reminder that science can explore even the most unusual corners of life, encouraging both laughter and deeper thought about what drives our actions and connections with others.
