Dishonest Academic Conduct: From the Perspective of the Utility Function

ABSTRACT

Dishonest academic conduct has aroused extensive attention in academic circles. To explore how scholars make decisions according to the principle of maximal utility, the author has constructed the general utility function based on the expected utility theory. The concrete utility functions of different types of scholars were deduced. They are as follows: risk neutral, risk averse, and risk preference. Following this, the assignment method was adopted to analyze and compare the scholars’ utilities of academic conduct. It was concluded that changing the values of risk costs, internal condemnation costs, academic benefits, and the subjective estimation of penalties following dishonest academic conduct can lead to changes in the utility of academic dishonesty. The results of the current study suggest that within scientific research, measures to prevent and govern dishonest academic conduct should be formulated according to the various effects of the above four variables.

Keywords:

• Academic moral
• dishonest academic conduct
• expected utility theory
• utility function

Acknowledgment

This article is one of the research achievements of the Psychological Analysis and Educational Strategy Research of College Students’ Moral Issues.

Additional information

Funding

This project is supported by the fund project of Independent Innovation (Social Influence) in Tianjin University.