To many, the views of these men, both millionaires, might seem mixed up. The Republican whose wealth comes from the oil industry is worried about the environment, while the Democrat who got his start at a state college is tired of government programs to help the poor.

But knowing what a wealthy person thinks about issues that cannot be quantified is a notoriously difficult prospect. Many people feel that they know how wealthier people think and how their thoughts differ from those of everyone else. But while there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about the haves and have-nots, it too often creates a picture of plutocrats versus freeloaders.

But after years of asking fairly mundane questions, like most questionnaires from financial institutions, the PNC Wealth and Values Survey took a different tack this year. The study asked respondents with wealth from $500,000 to over $10 million about politics, social issues, economic inequality, even whether they give money to charity because they just don’t have time to volunteer.

The results, on the eve of the midterm elections, painted a picture of affluent people who are different in some crucial areas from the popular perception. They are no less socially aware and concerned than people with less money. They are concerned about the political climate, social issues like the minimum wage and immigration, and charitable giving to provide more opportunity for people.

(Mr. Richter and Mr. Ercole were among the 945 people questioned in August and September.)

While it is just one study, it is trying to discern more accurately what wealthy people think and how — or if — their views differ from less affluent people’s. And while wealthier respondents are not, in most cases, more concerned about these issues than people with less, they are concerned — or not — at about the same rate as anyone else.