Messaging about corruption: The power of social norms
研究发现,强调大多数人反对腐败的规范性信息能有效改变人们对他人态度的看法,提升人际信任,降低行贿意愿,为设计更有效的反腐败宣传提供了新思路。
Abstract While commonly deployed in anti‐corruption programs, corruption messaging has shown limited success. I argue that strategies focusing on injunctive norms (what most people approve of) have been underutilized and could be a feasible way of influencing perceptions in a desirable direction. In two studies fielded in Mexico, I first identify a substantial discrepancy between how individuals view the permissibility of corruption and their perceptions of other people's attitudes. In a follow‐up preregistered experiment, I leverage this tension by randomly informing a treatment group about people's strong anti‐corruption attitudes. The results show that the treatment group became significantly more positive with regard to the attitudes of others. Moreover, they report higher interpersonal trust, are less likely view corruption as a basic part of Mexican culture, and show lower willingness to bribe. The study contributes to our understanding of corruption as a social phenomenon and provides insights about how to construct effective anti‐corruption messages.