From social tolerance to individual distress: The effects of corruption explained through social psychology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47133/respy44-26-1-1a-06Keywords:
social psychology, corruption, social norms, stereotypes, democracy, toleranceAbstract
This research note examines corruption through four studies that combine political science and social psychology. Two show how social norms can make certain corrupt practices appear justifiable, highlighting the role of citizens in their normalization and legitimation. The other studies explore stereotypes and show that corruption undermines the legitimacy of politicians, eroding public trust and well-being. Although corruption may be perceived as an effective means and can generate individual moral justifications, these tend to disappear when those involved are actors from whom integrity is expected, such as public officials. Taken together, the studies offer alternative explanations for the crises facing Western democracies: corruption reinforces negative stereotypes about the political class, promotes populist narratives, and may facilitate processes of democratic decline.
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