Revista Psicologia Política
On-line version ISSN 2175-1390
Abstract
GABRIEL, Ana Carolina Romanow and MODESTO, João Gabriel. "Victimless crime?" A study on corruption, victimization and beliefs in a just world". Rev. psicol. polít. [online]. 2022, vol.22, n.55, pp.573-586. ISSN 2175-1390.
Corruption is a major problem in Brazil, although it is understood as a "victimless crime". Given the importance of the topic, this study aimed to assess the influence of the social category of a corruption victim on the relationship between beliefs in a just world and the intention of corruption. The sample consisted of 127 university students from courses related to the areas of management and business. Participants responded to measurements of BJW, the intention of corruption and reported sociodemographic data. It was found that, when a victim of corruption is someone distant from the individual, the intention of corruption is greater compared to a condition in which the victim is close. Additionally, it was found that the effect of BJW on corruption was restricted when assessing a close victim. The results indicate the importance of articulating group (social distance) and personal variables (BJW) in the study of corruption.
Keywords : Corruption; Beliefs in a Just World; Social distance; Victimization; Analytical Model of Corruption.