Is penalty for academic cheating an incredible threat?

Supanika Leurcharusmee ()
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Supanika Leurcharusmee: Chiang Mai University

The Empirical Econometrics and Quantitative Economics Letters, 2012, vol. 1, issue 2, 81-96

Abstract: Despite the severe penalty, multiple studies revealed that academic dishonesty among undergraduate students has been a chronic problem. This contradicts Becker Proposition that states that the most efficient mean to deter crime is to impose the severest penalty with the lowest probability. This study proposes an explanation for Becker Paradox in academic dishonesty. When the penalty is severe, teachers are more likely to feel empathy and choose not to report the dishonest students. This would make the severe penalty an incredible threat and does not effectively deter dishonest behavior. Consistent with the hypothesis, the results showed a strong negative relationship between the severity of penalty and the probability to report cheating. In addition, the study also found a strong positive relationship between the present of evidence and the probability to report cheating.

Keywords: Academic cheating; Becker paradox; Empathy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D03 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:chi:journl:v:1:y:2012:i:2:p:81-96

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