College Students Cheating and Morality Essay - 2463 Words

Introduction Academic dishonesty is a threat to every student and every institution of higher education. The very act runs contrary to the fundamental values of higher education (Bowers, 1964). Dishonesty compromises the integrity of the individual student as well as the reputation of the institution (Engler, Landau, Epstein, 2008; Gallant, 2008). Many researchers have indicated that cheating is a serious problem on campuses (Bowers, 1964; Engler et al., 2008; Gallant, 2008; Leming, 1978; McCabe, Trevino, Butterfield, 2001). Studies completed by Bowers (1964) and McCabe and Trevino (1996) revealed nearly identical results regarding student-cheating behavior despite the 30 year time span; both studies identified that†¦show more content†¦The need to systematically foster academic integrity is critical (Whitley Keith-Spiegel, 2001). While the problem of cheating has persisted in higher education, the perceived seriousness of cheating continues to change (McCabe Trevino, 1996; Ste phens, Young, Calabrese, 2007). Notably, students with higher moral development levels view cheating more seriously than those with lower moral development levels (Leming, 1978; Semerci, 2006). While the process of going to college promotes students moral development (King Mayhew, 2002) and higher moral development levels correlate to lower incidences of cheating (Leming, 1978), determining the relationship between the two is necessary. Prior research has demonstrated a positive relationship between higher moral development levels and lower cheating incidences; however, most data is more than 30 years old (Leming, 1978). Since 1978, only three studies have been published relating moral development and cheating (Austin, Simpson, Reynen, 2005; Leming, 1978; Semerci, 2006). Leming (1978) used Kohlbergs (1958) theory of moral development (Appendix B) and James Rests Defining Issues Test (DIT) (1979) (Appendix C), to determine relationships between cheating and non-cheating behav iors. Kohlbergs theory and the DIT have been widely used and proven valid during the past three decades (King Mayhew,Show MoreRelatedFamily Structure Affects Students Academic Life878 Words   |  4 PagesFamily structure affects students’ academic Life Colleen Wenke, a graduate from Boston College, wrote an essay â€Å"Too Much Pressure†. In the essay Wenke states that the pressure of cheating in school was difficult to overcome because everyone was doing it. She also gives different examples in her essay to illustrate how overcoming cheating was difficult for some students in the 1990s. Cheating can increase by the lack of morality in school and family, family stress on children, and anxiety of failureRead MoreAcademic Dishonesty Essay1197 Words   |  5 Pagestrend—academic dishonesty is on the rise. More than half of college students surveyed admit to at least one instance of serious cheating in the past year (McCabe and Pavela). Information is incredibly easy to access on the Internet, and devices such as iPhones put that power, literally, into the palms of students’ hands. Many students entering universities today face extraordinary amounts of pressure for results academically, leading them to believe tha t cheating is necessary to succeed. This mentality is furtherRead MoreEssay on Ethics in Todays Universities1539 Words   |  7 PagesBeliefs; The universitys role in instilling a moral code among students? None whatever, some argue is an article written by Peter Steinfels. The article focuses on the opinion of several college professors about whether morality and an ethical code of conduct should be taught in universities. The article presents both sides of the argument and quotes from different educators but does not take a stand on whether ethics should be part of the university curriculum or not. My initialRead MoreCheating: Academic Dishonesty and Honor Code974 Words   |  4 PagesCheating used to be considered an unmentionable sin. However, in this day and age, it has become more common and somewhat of a daily occurrence. Cheating is more widespread today than in the past. According to the article titled Education: The New Morality, cheating has not been an issue of values, but simply one of practicality. This shows that many view cheating as a mere occurrence and something that can often be skipped over. The reason cheating has become such a pervasive movement is becauseRead MoreEssay on Cheating966 Words   |  4 PagesCheating Cheating used to be considered an unmentionable sin. However, in this day and age, it has become more common and somewhat of a daily occurrence. Cheating is more widespread today than in the past. According to the article titled Education: The New Morality, cheating has not been an issue of values, but simply one of practicality. This shows that many view cheating as a mere occurrence and something that can often be skipped over. The reason cheating has become such a pervasive movementRead More Does the Honor System Work Essay1561 Words   |  7 Pagesthat continue to cheat at every opportunity. While most colleges and universities would like to think that this does not happen on their campuses, the fact is that it happens everywhere. People have tried solving the cheating problem with various methods, most of which don’t work. The most popular procedure seems to be to spread the students out and keep a close watch. This method is most widely used to make sure that students do not look on each others papers or use a â€Å"cheat sheet†Read MoreAnalysis Of Laura Bobnaks The Price Of Silence1386 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Now that I am in college, however, I see the situation differently.† In her essay â€Å"The Price of Silence,† Laura Bobnak explains an experience from school in which she learned a valuable lesson. At first, she did not recognize what she had learned in high school, but upon entering college, Bobnak became aware of the influence of her peer groups. She also became conscious of the way those at school influenced her moral judgement. In these situations, an individual must question his or herself, andRead MoreIs Cheating Ethical1654 Words   |  7 Pagessociety, fairness, or specific virtues. Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards (Williams, 2010, pp. 2-4). Cheating is defined in the dictionary as, to deceive by trickery; swindle, however the dictionary fails to tell you if it is right or wrong to cheat. People have many different beliefs when it comes to cheating; some think its fine to do while others completely disapprove (Sullivan, 1992). Consequentialism/Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is the bestRead MoreWhere Do We Draw The Line Between What Should And Should1605 Words   |  7 Pagesscandal. The dignitaries behind this wrongdoing range from the SMU football coach, Coach Bobby Collins to then Texas Governor, Bob Hitch. These university and state officials felt the pressure to win just like students are now feeling the pressure more than ever to produce the highest college entrance scores and GPA. I understand that moral and ethical development are both enormously important aspects of decision making, but classes focused around these topics should not be a required course by aRead MoreAnalysis of Academic Dishonesty Essay2549 Words   |  11 Pagescomplications and confusion arises by students and teachers perception of themselves and their role in the problem. I will address the changing culture and how it can be a useful smokescreen that tries to make cheating a social issue as well as a moral one. I will use morality to discredit a view that certain forms of dishonesty are more acceptable than others forms. I hope to end my research by showing that this is a serious problem for all us, if only by the effect cheating can have on the economy. This