Idiocentrism Versus Allocentrism and Ethical Evaluations on Illegal Downloading Intention Between the United States and South Korea

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of the personality dimension of idiocentrism and allocentrism, individual experiences, and ethical evaluations on illegal downloading intention. Using data from surveys of college students in the United States and South Korea (N = 881 and 467), the study uncovered that South Korean students are more likely to download illegal content than the U.S. counterpart. The study found the personal trait of self-reliance affected illegal downloading intention for the U.S. students, as expected, while that of interdependence affected the intention for South Korean students. Of more interest is that self-reliance, which is likely to be prominent in individualistic societies, played an important role in explaining illegal downloading intention among the students of South Korea where collectivistic culture has traditionally been predominant. Further, the role of individual experience and ethical evaluations played differently in accounting for illegal downloading intention among the U.S. and South Korean students.

KEYWORDS:

• Allocentrism
• ethical evaluations
• idiocentrism
• illegal downloading
• South Korea
• United States

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Namkee Park

Namkee Park is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Yonsei University, South Korea. His research interests include social psychological implications of communication technologies as well as computer-mediated communication (CMC).

Hyun Sook Oh

Hyun Sook Oh is a professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Pyeongtaeck University in South Korea. Her research interests include media globalization and its impact on local culture, the role of advertising in the media production, and women’s representation in the media.

Naewon Kang

Naewon Kang is a professor in the School of Communication at Dankook University in South Korea. His research focuses on the effects of individuals’ psychological attributes and communicative behaviors related to the use of new media technology and the formation of social capital.