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An experiment conducted in supermarkets in Modena and Ferrara, Italy, demonstrated that corruption scandals can directly impact consumer behavior. Over a year, researchers analyzed purchases at self-checkout stations and found that, following the emergence of a local scandal in the media, the likelihood of customers reporting a lower value for their purchases increased by 16% to 30%. This effect, termed “contagious corruption”, peaked four days after the scandal and then gradually diminished. Sources include El País.
The research, led by Professor Nils Köbis from the Max Planck Institute, also found that corruption does not always stem from rational calculations. In global experiments, they discovered that individuals adjust their behavior based on their environment or whom they interact with. This phenomenon, known as “conditional bribery”, illustrates that corruption is not a fixed personality trait but a dynamic behavior influenced by context.
Another study in South Africa revealed that social beliefs can temporarily modify attitudes toward corruption. In the city of Manguzi, posters announcing a decrease in corruption reduced citizens’ willingness to engage in bribery. However, when the posters were removed, corruption levels reverted to normal, highlighting that such changes require continuous support to endure.
For Professor Fernando Jiménez, an expert in governance, the key to combating corruption lies in improving institutions. A government with effective limits and greater transparency not only reduces corruption but also fosters social trust and prosperity. Without these structural changes, anti-corruption strategies are unlikely to succeed.
The research concludes that corruption is shaped by the environment and institutions. While even the most upright individuals can succumb to corruption under certain circumstances, it is also possible to reduce these behaviors in regulated settings. This underscores the importance of addressing both psychological and institutional factors in the fight against this global phenomenon.