Stealing to get ahead

Social anxiety and some contextual variables as predictors of academic dishonesty among Nigeria university undergraduates

Abstract

Academic dishonesty is a fundamental issue in virtually all educational institutions, and one that has lately been gaining increasing attention, but with less research efforts. This study investigated social anxiety, perceived probability of not being caught and perceived probability of not acting on observed academic misconduct as predictors of academic dishonesty among Nigerian university undergraduates. Social anxiety was measured with the Social Phobia Scale developed by Zimmerman (2002); Perceived probability of not being caught and perceived probability of authority not acting on observed academic misconduct were measured with a single item each developed by the present researchers; whereas academic dishonesty was measured with the 10- item Academic Dishonest Scale adapted from McCabe and Trevino (1997). The results of the regression analyses revealed that social anxiety, perceived probability of being caught and perceived probability of not acting on observed academic misconduct significantly predicted students' engagement in academic dishonest behaviours. The findings of the study indicated that these factors that predispose students to engage in academic dishonesty should be taken very seriously if the goal of academics is to be achieved.