Economic impact of corruption in the public sector and its cognitive origins

Davide Ferrarese

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The objective of this survey is to analyze the psychological selected aspects of the topic of cor-ruption and to organize and synthesize existing theoretical and empirical work on corruption. to identify opportunities for further research. The paper begins with a brief overview of the key definitions of corruption and then moves on to a review of the factors that favour or discourage the growth of corruption. This is followed by an examination of the consequences of corruption for society in economic, social and environmental terms and consideration of measures that could help reduce the phenomenon. The second part of this study is expected to shows that corruption and the crime of corruption are gradual processes based on psychological development theory and game theory. This unethical behaviour resulting from unconscious cognitive processes can constitute a crime, starting with the simple behaviour of reciprocity to slip into large illegal acts. Attention will be paid to the corruptive behaviours that characterize this phenomenon by analyz-ing through cognitive psychology the understanding of the behaviour itself. In the final partend, as evidence of all the work, we will build an experiment to highlight and know the hypothetical choices of individuals in a situation of corruption.

Abstract:

The objective of this survey is to analyze the psychological selected aspects of the topic of cor-ruption and to organize and synthesize existing theoretical and empirical work on corruption. to identify opportunities for further research. The paper begins with a brief overview of the key definitions of corruption and then moves on to a review of the factors that favour or discourage the growth of corruption. This is followed by an examination of the consequences of corruption for society in economic, social and environmental terms and consideration of measures that could help reduce the phenomenon. The second part of this study is expected to shows that corruption and the crime of corruption are gradual processes based on psychological development theory and game theory. This unethical behaviour resulting from unconscious cognitive processes can constitute a crime, starting with the simple behaviour of reciprocity to slip into large illegal acts. Attention will be paid to the corruptive behaviours that characterize this phenomenon by analyz-ing through cognitive psychology the understanding of the behaviour itself. In the final partend, as evidence of all the work, we will build an experiment to highlight and know the hypothetical choices of individuals in a situation of corruption.

Keywords

Corruption, Psychology, Psychology of corruption, Game theory, Decision theory, Behaviour, Ethics, Egoism, Altruism.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 4. 2. 2021

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 22. 2. 2021
• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Juraj Nemec, CSc.
• Reader: doc. Ing. Robert Jahoda, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Economics and Administration

Master programme / field:
Public Finance and Economics / Public Finance and Economics