Investigating Attitude as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Performance Goals and Online Cheating (Poster 8)

• In Event: Thursday Poster Session 9:00 am
  In Poster Session: Motivational Beliefs, Context, and Consequences

Abstract

Investigating the interplay between attitudes, performance goals, and cheating in online tests, this study examines the moderating role of attitude in this relationship. A 2x2 online experiment was performed on university students to observe how a more positive attitude towards cheating moderates the effect of performance goals on cheating behavior. Contrary to expectations, positive attitudes towards cheating did not significantly amplify dishonesty beyond performance goal-induced levels. This suggests that in low-risk online settings, positive attitudes towards cheating might not further promote cheating. The study's unique contribution lies in its novel application of paradata methodology to evaluate moderation of performance goals and cheating.

Authors

• Hernan González Cruz, University of Mannheim

• Tanja Fritz, University of Augsburg

• Martin Daumiller, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

• Stefan Janke, University of Mannheim