2014, Volume 20, Issue 4

Selected Personality Correlates of Behaviors Associated with Internet „Piracy”

Krzysztof Marczak¹, Jan F. Terelak²
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¹Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw
²Military Institute of Aviation Medicine


Autor korenspondencyjny: Jan F. Terelak; Military Institute of Aviation Medicine; email: jterelak[at]wiml.waw.pl

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Streszczenie

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between selected personality traits as well as behaviors associated with the so called internet “piracy”. The theoretical framework of the research was Rotter’s Theory of Locus of Control, and Spielberger’s Theory of State/Trait Anxiety.

Methods: Two questionnaires were used. Namely, Rotter’s Locus of Control (LoC) questionnaire, and Spielberger’s STAI questionnaire. Moreover, a survey regarding downloading of online content was administered. The study was performed in two groups of students (N=96), aged 18-35 years (75% female, 25% male).

Results: People with an external locus of control (externalists) manifest internet “piracy” behaviors more often than people with an internal locus of control (internalists). Lack of correlation between trait-anxiety and behaviors associated with illegal downloading and using online content. Moreover, students of economy download, copy, and share files online more often that students of humanities. Illegal downloading of fi les from the Internet is more prevalent in the age group of 18-25 years.

Discussion: Discussion was based on Rotter’s Theory of Locus of Control and Spielberger’s STAI Concept.

Conclusions: There is a correlation between LOC and anxiety, and a tendency to illegally download files from the Internet, type of studies, and age of Internet users.

Słowa kluczowe

computer crime, copyright, Internet piracy, Locus of Control, Trait Anxiety