Intelligence and bribing behavior in a one-shot game

We investigate the relationship between intelligence and bribing behavior in a simple one-shot game of corruption. We find a robust relationship between intelligence and the probability of bribing in which a higher intelligence quotient (IQ) leads to a lower probability of bribing in the game. This result holds after controlling for other determinants such as gender, attitude toward corruption, and perceptions of corruption. By revealing the gender of the matched player, we also show that gender perceptions of corruption are strong determinants of bribery.

► We investigate the relationship between intelligence and corruption in a simple game of bribery.
► We find a robust negative relationship between intelligence and bribing behavior.
► We find that gender perceptions of corruption are important determinants in the willingness to bribe.
► Contrary to other papers, we find no absolute gender effect after controlling for perceptions.