Monday, September 13, 2010

Students Who Cheat May Display Mental Illness Tendencies

Students who engage in cheating behaviors also score high in psychopathy or traits such as "erratic behaviour, manipulation, callousness and anti-social tendencies." Researchers from the University of British Columbia reported their research in the Journal of Experimental Psychology summarized in the September 12, 2010 Globe and Mail Canadian newspaper ("Cheaters Do Prosper – But Are They Psychologically Ill?," September 12, 2010). These students are more "impulsive," driven by competition, and are not affected by possible retribution for their academic misdeeds.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do professors encourage competition among students? Do you think a competitive atmosphere encourages students to cheat? Why or why not?
2. Do you think students can be taught to be academically honest once they reach college? Why or why not?