1998•SSRN Electronic JournalOpen access

How Tempting is Corruption? - More Bad News About Economists

Björn Frank, Günther G. Schulze

Abstract

In this paper, we report on an experiment on corruption which investigates various determinants of corruptibility. We find that economics students are significantly more corrupt than others, which is due to self-selection rather than indoctrination. Moreover, our results vary with gender. Also, agents are no less corrupt if rewarded in addition to, and independently of, a possible bribe. Our experiment isolates the influence of self-interest on cooperation from other influences such as risk attitude and expectations regarding the behavior of others.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 16 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Key concepts: Indoctrination, Language change, Selection (genetic algorithm), Economics, Self-interest, Social psychology, Political science, Positive economics