Corruption of in the Misuse of Public Resources: A Mind Genomics Cartography

Abstract

We present a cartography of how people respond to statements about corruption in the use of public funds, using the procedures of Mind Genomics. Respondents read and rated short vignettes about corruption, systematically varied in four aspects, specifically who is IN CHARGE, FOR WHAT is the public money used, WHAT HAPPENED, and what were the EFFECTS, respectively. The data suggest that different elements drive ‘Makes me Angry,’ versus ‘Drives me to do Something’ versus ‘Engages my Attention.’ Mind Genomics further reveals mind-sets, showing different criteria that respondents used to evaluate the individual messages. The paper then shows how to assess the interactions between who is IN CHARGE and the other attributes, and how to measure the degree to which the ‘right person’ can reduce the seriousness of the corrupt act.