Corruption is defined as the abuse of power in order to obtain personal benefit. Central and South America, with the exception of Chile, Uruguay and the French Guiana, show high rates of corruption. This study sought to find the meanings that ordinary people attach to corruption as well as the relationship between their narratives and sociodemographic characteristics, such as sex and educational level, and political standpoints, such as their political party affiliation. A total of 325 people participated, 166 females aged 18-69 (M = 35.58, SD = 13.44) and 159 males aged 19-74 (M = 36.09, SD = 13.02). All education levels (primary, secondary, technical, university, postgraduate and none) were represented in * Autor para correspondencia.