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Economic inequality breeds corrupt behaviour.

Authors :
Wei, Cong
Dang, Jianning
Liu, Li
Li, Chao
Tan, Xuyun
Gu, Zibei
Source :
British Journal of Social Psychology; Apr2023, Vol. 62 Issue 2, p949-971, 23p, 3 Diagrams, 2 Charts, 2 Graphs
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Economists and political scientists have long debated the relations between economic inequality and corruption at the societal level. Extending this literature, we proposed and tested that economic inequality breeds the corrupt behaviour of individuals. Analyses of 45‐year archival data from the United States found that official corruption crimes were more prevalent in years and states with greater economic inequality. Three subsequent experiments (N = 776) using economic games showed that individuals exposed to greater economic inequality exhibited more corrupt behaviour in both Chinese and American cultures. Furthermore, the increased desire for wealth and the perception of reduced fairness accounted for this effect. These findings highlight that excessive economic inequality creates a competitive environment in which people give priority to themselves over others and suggest a vicious cycle between economic inequality and corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01446665
Volume :
62
Issue :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
British Journal of Social Psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
162971907
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12610