LOW SELF-CONTROL, OPPORTUNITY, AND STRAIN IN STUDENTS’ REPORTED CHEATING BEHAVIOR

ABSTRACT

Despite the fact that academic dishonesty in higher education has received much scholarly attention in recent years, only a small amount of this research has been based on traditional theoretical models found in the extant literature. This study examines the conditional effects low self-control, opportunity, and strain/frustration theories on explaining variation in students’ self-reported cheating. A self-report survey was administered to 289 students at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 academic year, asking them about their cheating behavior during the past year. The study found that measures of opportunity and strain/frustration had differential effects on reported cheating behaviors dependent on varying levels of low self-control among the participants.