Neutralization Techniques and Academic Dishonesty in higher education: insights from a systematic review and an italian cross-sectional study

• In Event: Theories and Contexts of Delinquency: International Evidence on the Role of Family, Schools, and Peers

Abstract

Academic dishonesty is a widespread issue in higher education, raising concerns for both professional integrity and societal trust. While much research has focused on detecting and preventing misconduct, less is known about the cognitive justifications that enable it. Neutralization techniques (ToN), a cornerstone in criminology, help explain how individuals justify unethical behavior, reducing feelings of guilt and maintaining a positive self-image. This presentation explores the role of ToN in academic misconduct through two complementary studies. The first is a systematic review of international literature, covering 45 studies and over 32,000 students from 16 countries. The review highlights a consistent and significant correlation between the use of neutralization techniques and academic dishonesty in most contexts examined. It also reveals a lack of research on Italian university students. Addressing this gap, our second contribution presents the first cross-sectional study on ToN and academic dishonesty in an Italian sample (N=205). Findings confirm the international trend: neutralization techniques are strongly associated with self-reported misconduct. Among these, denial of responsibility and condemnation of the condemners are the most prevalent. Together, these studies offer new insights into how students rationalize dishonest behavior, highlighting practical implications for promoting academic integrity and designing targeted interventions.

Authors

• Emma Flutti, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

• Giulia Moretti, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

• Guido Travaini, Vita-Salute S. Raffaele University