Psychology of Academic Cheating

Who cheats and why? How do they cheat? What are the consequences? What are the ways of stopping it before it starts? These questions and more are answered in this research based investigation into the nature and circumstances of Academic Cheating. Cheating has always been a problem in academic settings, and with advances in technology (camera cell phones, the internet) and more pressure than ever for students to test well and get into top rated schools, cheating has become epidemic. At the same time, it has been argued, the moral fiber of society as a whole has dampened to find cheating less villainous than it was once regarded. Who cheats? Why do they cheat? and Under what circumstances?

Psychology of Academic Cheating looks at personality variables of those likely to cheat, but also the circumstances that make one more likely than not to try cheating. Research on the motivational aspects of cheating, and what research has shown to prevent cheating is discussed across different student populations, ages and settings.

• Summarizes 50 years of academic cheating trends in K-12 and postsecondary institutions
• Examines the methodology of academic cheating including the effect of new technologies
• Reviews and discusses existing theories and research about the motivation behind academic cheating

Educational psychologists, cognitive and social psychologists

Foreword
Alfie Kohn

1) Introductory Chapter
Eric M. Anderman, The University of Kentucky
Tamera B. Murdock, The University of Missouri Kansas City


PART I: The Anatomy of Cheaters
2) Who Are All These Cheaters? Characteristics of Academically Dishonest Students
Angela D. Miller, The University of Kentucky
Tamera B. Murdock, The University of Missouri Kansas City
Eric M. Anderman, The University of Kentucky
Amy L. Poindexter, The University of Missouri Kansas City

3) How do Students Cheat?
Linda Garavaia, Elizabeth Olson, Emily Russell, & Leslie Christensesn, The University of Missouri Kansas City


PART II: Achievement Motivation and Cheating
4) Interest and Academic Cheating
Gregory Schraw, Lori Olafson, Fred Kuch, The University of Nevada Las Vegas
Trish Lehman, The University of Colorado, Boulder
Stephen Lehman, Utah State University
Matthew T. McCrudden, University of North Florida

5) The Effects of Personal, Classroom, and School Goal Structures on Academic Cheating.
Eric M. Anderman, The University of Kentucky

6) Under Pressure and Under-Engaged: Motivational Profiles and Academic Cheating in High School
Jason M. Stephens, The University of Connecticut
Hunter Gehlbach, Stanford University

(7) Applying Decision Theory to Academic Integrity Decisions
David A. Rettinger, Yeshiva University


Part III: Moral and Social Motivations for Dishonesty
8) Reaping What We Sow: Cheating as a Mechanism of Moral Engagement
Theresa A. Thorkildsen, Courtney J. Golant, & Dale Richesin, The University of Illinois at Chicago

9) The “Social” Side of Social Context: Interpersonal and Affiliative Dimensions of Students’ Experiences and Academic Dishonesty
Lynley H. Anderman, The University of Kentucky
Tierra M. Freeman, The University of Missouri Kansas City
Christian E. Mueller, The University of Memphis

10) Is Cheating Wrong? Students’ Reasoning About Academic Dishonesty
Tamera B. Murdock, The University of Missouri Kansas City
Jason M. Stephens, The University of Connecticut


PART IV: PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF CHETAING
11) Cheating on Tests: Prevalence, Detection, and Implications for On-Line Testing
Walter M. Haney & Michael J. Clarke, Boston College

12) The Pressure to Cheat in a High-Stakes Testing Environment
Sharon L. Nichols, The University of Texas at San Antonio
David C. Berliner, Arizona State University


Epilogue
David Callahan