Examining Academic Dishonesty in Online Group Chats Through the Lenses of Strain and Neutralization Theories

ABSTRACT

Cheating scandals among institutions of higher education have repeatedly been linked to popular online group chat software systems . Taking a qualitative approach, 31 GroupMe chatrooms associated with undergraduate classes at a mid-sized Southern State University were analyzed for salient themes – uncovering the reality of academic dishonesty usually off limits to faculty and staff. The students observed attempted to normalize academic dishonesty in ways consistent with general strain theory, techniques of neutralization, and several other logical fallacies, including appeals to ignorance, consumerism, reciprocity, and learning. By providing screenshots and quotes of how students observably engaged in and solicited academic dishonesty, the present study also provides faculty and staff with clearer recommendations for the treatment and prevention of these behaviors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christina Ainsworth

Christina K. Ainsworth, is a Victim Advocate at the Children’s Advocacy Center: Hope House in Covington, Louisiana. Her work focuses on awareness, healing, and prevention of child abuse. Christina has conducted research on academic dishonesty with the advancement of technology.

William A. Chernoff

William A. Chernoff is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Southeastern Louisiana University. His research focuses on situational crime prevention and design against crime on the college campus. Dr. Chernoff has published on the effects of identifying property, retrofit design, signage, and visibility on theft and vandalism.

Young Ju Chae

Young Ju Chae is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her research centers on criminological theory, cognitive criminology, health and justice, and evidenced based criminal justice policies. Dr. Chae has published works on the integration of social bonds and dual-process models of crime, as well as the impact of psychosocial or cognitive factors on delinquent behavior.

Michael Bisciglia

Michael G. Bisciglia, is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Southeastern Louisiana University. His research focuses on racial segregation on rates of homicide in large cities and race and EEO compliance in LEOs. Dr. Bisciglia has published on Marco-social Hispanic/White and African American/White segregation and homicide victimization in metropolitan areas.