ABSTRACT
Existing evidence on the psychosocial processes associated with the decision to match fix is rather limited. This chapter examines the contextual, social, and individual factors that can exacerbate or mitigate the likelihood of an individual engaging in match-fixing, drawing on extant theory, and research from applied psychology. The chapter summarizes existing evidence and discusses new perspectives in understanding match-fixing behaviors using a psychological lens, drawing particularly on psychological theory that considers the interplay between the individual and the situation or context in decision-making and behavior. Match-fixing has been largely associated with pressure from criminal networks on sport people. We discuss the psychology of power (overt and perceived) and how it can influence the decision to fix a game. Furthermore, we highlight the manner through which several individual factors (e.g., financial status, competitive level, betting addiction, and moral stance) exert their influence. In addition, social factors, such as social pressure and social norms, have been reported as important determinants of match-fixing behavior. Existing evidence about their influence on the decision to engage in match-fixing is discussed. We demonstrate the unique insights that can be derived from a psychological approach for policy, which can assist preventive actions.
