Corruption and selection by consequences: A behavioral analysis

Abstract

Corruption is a global phenomenon. Under the theoretical and methodological parameters of the Behavior Analysis of Culture, our goal is to compose a descriptive explanatory overview of corruption as a cultural practice, through a functional analysis of contingencies involved in its installation and maintenance, particularly in the Brazilian context. We examine the etymological origins of the term corruption, we present a historical survey on the topic in the social sciences and behavior analysis, we outline the consequences for model selection and analyze three hypothetical situations of corruption: (1) an example of institutional policy; (2) an example of private corporation in relation to the government; and (3) an example of everyday corruption. We conclude pointing to possible contributions of the Behavioral Analysis of Culture toward preventing and combating corrupt cultural practices.