Youth’s tolerance of corruption: exploring the influence of sensitivity to monetary inequity and sociodemographic factors

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between tolerance of corruption, in-group/out-group sensitivity to differences in random monetary distributions, and sociodemographic variables in young students in Colombia. The results offer evidence of a relationship between aversion to monetary inequity and a reduced tolerance for corrupt acts among young people. The design included two experiments: a corruption task (CT) and a sensitivity to difference in monetary rewards (MR) task. MR had two conditions, one implying social bias as a variable. Participation involved a sample of 220 students, ranging in age from fifteen to twenty-three, representing both public and private universities in Colombia. Participants with preferences for fair distributions had a lower tolerance of corruption. In this study, cognitive and sociodemographic factors influencing corruption tolerance among Colombian youth are identified. Likewise, the methodology used to investigate corruption tolerance is outlined and the mediating role of sensitivity to monetary differences in said acceptance is examined. © 2024 University of Zaragoza. All rights reserved.