Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
357047 International Journal of Educational Research 2012 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

The fundamental importance of motives, values and goals to academic behaviour has been noted by many social theorists. This paper reports the results of a survey investigation on the relationship of gender, professional career aspirations and the combined influence of materialism, religiosity, and achievement goals on students’ willingness to cheat and their self-reported cheating behaviour. Participants were high school students (grades nine through twelve) from central Thailand (N = 2123, males = 43.6% and females = 56.4%). Results of path analysis showed that materialism and performance avoidance goals associated positively with student willingness to cheat and self-reported frequency of cheating behaviour in math classrooms. Cluster analysis found that materialism and performance goal orientations differentiated all of the participants into one of two clusters: A “high willingness to cheat” cluster, comprised of a high proportion of males and students aspiring to business, accountancy, and related professions and a “low willingness to cheat” cluster, comprised of a high proportion of females and students aspiring to teaching, medicine, and related professions. Results have been discussed with respect to identity and gender role socialization theories.

► Materialism was associated with a higher willingness to cheat. ► Highly religious students were less likely to cheat but more likely to report. ► Career aspirations were strongly associated with student willingness to cheat.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Social Sciences Education
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