The Effect of Machiavellianism and Opportunism on Business Students’ Perception of Cheating

• In Event: Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum 4

Abstract

College cheating has been increasing in the last decades and has received considerable attention in education research. The current study investigates if some negative personality characteristics such as Machiavellianism and Opportunism are related to business students’ perception of cheating. A Total of 474 business students in two universities were surveyed to examine this relationship. Results showed that high Machiavellian and high opportunistic business students viewed various questionable cheating actions as less unethical compared to other students. These results point to the disturbing result that more negative personality characteristics can have an impact on cheating perception, and possibly cheating behavior. Instructors can benefit from these results when supervising exams and grading other assignments.

Author

• Rafik Z Elias, California State University, Los Angeles