Research in corruption psychology shows the path to recovery

Over the past decade, the global problem of corruption has been exposed to a lot Note We have worked together from psychologists and other social scientists to find solutions by studying both individuals and institutions. Four recent studies outline new findings that contribute to the organization of research on corruption.

Psychometric Test

Ponce-Díazet al. , author of the 2025 study, “Psychological Insights on Corruption: Construction and Verification of Corruption Intention,” distinguishing corruption from other forms of dishonesty and dishonesty such as lies. Deceptionbecause it involves abuse of power. Corruption is considered to be more serious and affects individuals, groups and society.

The corrupt intention scale psychometric survey examines the underlying psychological aspects of a decision or intention that commits corruption. It is designed to detect indicators of corruption by identifying patterns before intentions come true in action, in order to contribute to the development of public policy and corporate strategies to promote more effective preventive interventions and promote ethical organizational culture.

In the 2024 study, Public Opinion Research’s International Journalauthors Incio and Seifert explain the effects of corruption. distrust of the political system. ”

Corruption leads to more corruption

A study of Peruvian subjects from Incio and Seifert found an increase in mandate of corrupt conduct, whether or not they are simply talking about bribery. They explain that people adopt peer behavior in an environment where corruption is the “rules of the game.” Such an environment can also create “corruption fatigue” that creates a sense of resignation and prevents the willingness to fight corruption.

Or is that possible?

The 2025 study provides seemingly opposed conclusions. Varraich, Köbis, and Lange article “The Social Psychology of Corruption” European Journal of Social Psychology, By being in a corrupt country and witnessing corruption, Indonesian subjects are more morally punitive and expressing higher disappointment for corrupt conduct; anger After corruption.

The author explains that corruption is a form of social injustice. Citizens of corrupt society recognize that they receive less than they are eligible, while others receive more and cause less deprivation to underprivileged citizens. This relative deprivation can burn collective anger, and can lead to opposing moral judgments, especially after experiencing injustice.

These moral judgments that triggered anger and disappointment can then invoke collective action against corruption, especially when these moral feelings are widespread enough to provide laws and policymakers with the momentum they need to eradicate corruption norms. As a result, citizens in Indonesia have been engaged in strong anti-corruption group action for decades, bringing about reformist governments.

Government Culture

An explanation of how government reforms occur is shared by former fourth-term mayor of La Paz, Bolivia, Ronald MacLean Avaloa, and founding members of Transparent International, and lecturers from the Kennedy government at Harvard University.

In his July 2024 article, “Changed City Hall-The Story of La Paz,” Maclean-Abaroa detailed how he changed the city’s culture, pointing out, “Trying to fight corruption is like chasing your own shadow. Corruption involves corrupt individuals who work within a system with opportunities for corruption. He points out at the local government level, “You’re dealing with resources. There are many opportunities, so there’s a lot of corruption at the local government level.”

As the first democratically elected mayor of La Paz, Bolivia, he was opposed to “people who converted city halls into private institutions and made money through bribery, procurement fraud, stealing and selling.” To clean up the city hall, he began a reform process to change the system; philosophy To regain the trust of the people Confidence.

corruption = Exclusive + Discretion – Accountability

McLean Avaloa began restructuring city hall by denying civil servants who had been brought to the former mayor to win the election. He employs Klitgaard’s formula as a diagnostic tool: corruption = monopoly + discretion – accountability points out that it is the formula of an authoritarian government. “They enjoy monopoly decision makinghas all discretion and is virtually non-accountable. “His next action was to break the monopoly within the administration.

He corrects the balance in which checks and balances that effectively deal with discretion and accountability “has the power to intervene in the process and cannot be overturned by discretionary decision-making.” The results of MacLean Avaloa, dubbed “a therapeutic approach to disease facilities,” have been successfully replicated in more than 20 local governments in Europe.

Maclean-Abaroa said of the trust restructuring, “You need to deserve it. When I changed La Paz, I had to do something first. Trust is not an abstract thing. It is the result of everyday actions.”