The Opinions of Medicine Faculty Students Regarding Cheating in Relation to Kohlberg's Moral Development Concept

Abstract

In all education systems, cheating is a serious problem. It is regarded as a significant problem because of its frequency and interference in learning and evaluation processes. As cheating is not a fair behavior, it can be dealt with morally. Kohlberg (1969, 1979, 1984) tried to explain our moral behaviors by relating moral development to age and intellectual development. The relationship between Kohlberg's moral development concept and cheating could help find the reasons and solutions for cheating. The aim in this paper is to explain the opinions of the students attending the Faculty of Medicine at Fırat University in Turkey related to cheating in terms of Kohlberg's moral development. A survey method was used in the form of a questionnaire containing of 15 questions. It revealed that in Turkey, at Fı;rat University, Medicine Faculty students emphasize that cheating is unlawful or a sin and forgery; however, they themselves cheat during examinations.

Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Cheating: The Influence of Direct Knowledge and Attitudes on Academic Dishonesty

“…Despite their ethical or moral opposition to cheating, some students still cheat (Semerci, 2006). This conduct can possibly be explained through the presence of neutralizing attitudes, which allow people to justify behavior that they know to be wrong (Haines, Diekhoff, LaBeff, & Clark, 1986;Sykes & Matza, 1957).…”

Letters to the editor

“…In conclusion, unethical behaviour among medical students is pervasive in pre-clinical and clinical years, as reported by others. A large survey of medical schools in the US over 10 years ago reported less than 5% of students involved in cheating (Baldwin et al 1996) but many other and more recent studies indicate a majority of students are cheating (Semerci 2006). A rise in the prevalence of cheating may be true or only apparent if students are less ashamed today than in the past to report on it.…”

The attitudes of dental students towards socially acceptable and unacceptable group working practices

“…There exists a significant body of evidence documenting the incidence of cheating and other common types of unacceptable behaviour in many areas of higher education. Researchers and educationalists have now begun to explore the reasons why students cheat, and the idea that cheating is a problem resulting from insufficient moral development (16). The increasing use of group work in higher education brings new possibilities and opportunities for unacceptable behaviour; however, there is little research documenting student attitudes towards unacceptable behaviours in group working situations.…”