Why do Americans in the highest income bracket and with the most education tend to consume the most alcohol?
You are confused by the poll. The poll doesn't say that rich drinkers drink more than poor drinkers, it says that rich people are less likely to claim to be total abstainers. Why might this be?
The Short Answer
You are confused by the poll. The poll doesn't say that rich drinkers drink more than poor drinkers, it says that rich people are less likely to claim to be total abstainers. Why might this be? I can think of four reasons. The most likely reason for an American to abstain totally from alcohol are (1) membership in a fringe religious group, (2) recovering alcoholic, (3) has spent time around alcoholics and hates alcohol as a result, or (4) has very severe health problems thay prevent drinking. Poor Americans are more likely to belong to extreme churches, to suffer from alcoholism to the point they cannot function, and to have life-threatening chronic disease. So they are more likely to try to quit. Note that this is not the same as saying that richer Americans drink more by volume.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Likely, poll, rich
This explanation focuses on likely, poll, rich and spans 134 words across 8 sentences. At 86% above the average Society explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “You are confused by the poll.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 8 connected points.
How This Compares in Society
Ranked #60 of 500 Society questions by answer depth (top 13%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why americans in the highest income bracket and with the most education tend to consume the most alcohol?
You are confused by the poll. The poll doesn't say that rich drinkers drink more than poor drinkers, it says that rich people are less likely to claim to be total abstainers. Why might this be? I can think of four reasons. The most likely reason for…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Society questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 134 words, ranked #60 of 500 Society questions by depth. The key concepts covered are likely, poll, rich.
What approach does this answer take to explain americans in the highest income bracket and with the most ed?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 134 words. It is categorized under Society and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.