Are humans born corrupt? | Pedro Karam | TEDxEscola Concept Ribeirão Preto

Pedro Karam, a Grade 8 student at Escola Concept Ribeirão Preto, asks whether people are born corrupt or learn corrupt behavior over time. He defines corruption as the misuse of power, position, or leverage for personal gain, and notes that it also appears in small daily habits such as cheating on tests or taking shortcuts. The talk draws on his experience at the Concept Model United Nations simulation, where he represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and on a survey of 120 students from his school, 112 of whom agreed that growing up in a specific environment shapes views and reactions toward corruption. He links these findings to psychologist Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, which holds that behavior is shaped by observing and imitating others. He concludes that humans are not born corrupt but can learn it, and that integrity can be learned too.

• Defines corruption as the misuse of power, position, or leverage for personal gain
• Shares experience from a Model United Nations simulation representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Presents a survey of 120 students on how environment shapes views on corruption
• Applies Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory to the normalization of unethical actions

In this TEDx presentation, Pedro Karam reflects on the nature of corruption and questions whether human beings are born corrupt or learn these behaviors throughout life. The speaker defines corruption as the misuse of power, position, or leverage for personal gain. He shares his experience at the Model United Nations simulation (Concept MUN), where he represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo and recognized the impact of corrupt systems. Based on this, he emphasizes that corruption is not limited to large-scale financial fraud, but also manifests in small daily habits, such as cheating on tests or taking shortcuts. Pedro presents a survey conducted with 120 students from his school, in which 112 agreed that growing up in a specific environment shapes individual views and reactions toward corruption. Drawing on psychologist Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, he explains that human behavior is strongly influenced by observing and imitating those around us, which can lead to the normalization of unethical actions. He concludes that humans are not born corrupt, but are highly capable of becoming so; however, if corruption can be learned, integrity can be learned as well, starting with questioning our daily habits Grade 8 student at Escola Concept Ribeirão Preto This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx