Morality, Rationality and Academic Dishonesty: A Partial Test of Situational Action Theory
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2015
Keywords
Academic Dishonesty, Morality, Formal Deterrence, Situational Action Theory
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2015.04.19
Abstract
This study uses self-report survey data from a sample of college students to provide a partial test of Wikstrӧm’s situational action theory (2010a) by examining the extent, if any, to which the effects of perceptual deterrence on academic dishonesty are moderated by personal morality. The findings show that both personal morality and perceived certainty of formal sanctions are inversely associated with cheating; however, the deterrent effect of high perceived certainty of formal sanctions is not greater among those with weak moral prohibitions against cheating as predicted by Wikstrӧm and observed by Svensson (2015) in an earlier test of Wikstrӧm’s situational action theory.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, v. 4, p. 192-199
Scholar Commons Citation
Cochran, John K., "Morality, Rationality and Academic Dishonesty: A Partial Test of Situational Action Theory" (2015). Criminology Faculty Publications. 33.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cjp_facpub/33
