Exploring the relationship between academic dishonesty and psychopathy among adults In Singapore

• Main Author: Tee, Kai Xin
• Other Authors: Olivia Choy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Social Sciences; Academic dishonesty; Psychopathy; Dishonest behaviours; Deviant behaviours
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175613
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Current literature revealed a positive relationship between academic dishonesty and psychopathy, however, there is not much research was conducted to understand the relationship academic dishonesty has with the four facets of psychopathy. Academically dishonest behaviours were also found to inflict long-term consequences on a student’s learning and professional career. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between psychopathy and academic dishonesty among adults in Singapore and also studied the relationship between academic dishonesty and the four facets of psychopathy. Data from this study were obtained from 123 adult participants (66 females, 57 males, mean age of 23.8 years) recruited from the community. Participants self-reported instances of academically dishonest behaviours and completed the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale Short Form. Correlation and regression tests were run, which revealed a positive relationship between academic dishonesty and psychopathy, presenting similar findings as seen in previous studies. A positive relationship was found between psychopathy and gender, with male participants displaying higher levels of psychopathy in comparison to female participants. A negative relationship was found between academic dishonesty and age as well. Three out of four facets of psychopathy were positively correlated with academic dishonesty, and they are the affective, interpersonal and antisocial facets of psychopathy. This study provides a deeper understanding of how psychopathy perpetuates academically dishonest behaviours, and fills a gap in current literature, as the four-factor model of psychopathy is underused in investigating academic dishonesty. The limitations and implications of this study will be discussed below.