Integritas: Jurnal Antikorupsi
Vol 12 No 1 (2026): Article in Progress

Investigating cognitive mechanisms underlying the corrupt intention: The role of moral disengagement and belief in a just world

Miftahun Najah (Universitas Negeri Semarang)
Sugiyarta Stanislaus (Universitas Negeri Semarang)
Sugiariyanti Sugiariyanti (Universitas Negeri Semarang)
Rulita Hendriyani (Universitas Negeri Semarang)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jun 2026

Abstract

Corruption is unethical behaviour that undermines integrity, erodes social trust, and causes widespread harm to society. Two psychological constructs that may explain individuals’ propensity to engage in corrupt behaviour are moral disengagement and belief in a just world. This study aims to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying individuals’ intentions to engage in corruption by examining the role that these two variables play. The study employed a quantitative design involving 120 participants. Data was analysed to test the predictive contributions of moral disengagement, as well as the general and personal dimensions of belief in a just world, towards corrupt intentions. The results indicate that moral disengagement significantly predicts corrupt intentions. Furthermore, the two dimensions of belief in a just world exhibit distinct patterns of influence. General belief in a just world was found to be significant in predicting corrupt intentions, whereas personal belief in a just world did not show a significant influence. These findings expand our understanding of the psychological factors underpinning corrupt behaviour and provide important implications for the development of prevention strategies and psychological interventions to reduce the propensity to corruption.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

integritas

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Terbit sejak 2015, Jurnal Antikorupsi INTEGRITAS (p-ISSN: 2477-118X; e-ISSN: 2615-7977) merupakan jurnal yang menyebarluaskan hasil penelitian atau kajian konseptual tentang korupsi dan subyek yang berelasi dengan korupsi. Jurnal Antikorupsi INTEGRITAS terbit dua nomor dalam setahun ditujukan untuk ...