Home, Gender, and the Social Scene: Factors Influencing and Pedagogies Discouraging Cheating Among College Students

Abstract

Factors influencing cheating are examined through a survey administered to 200 senior business students enrolled at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. This population does not report a significant difference from students in other geographic areas. Variables showing significance in a lower incidence of cheating are religious-meeting attendance and high GPA; conversely, the fraternity-sorority membership variable shows a significantly higher level of cheating and vulnerability to external influences.  Educators can combat the problem through implementing specific classroom procedures, assigning ethical-issue problems, and encouraging students to live by honor codes and follow good role models.