Cheating in University Exams: The Relevance of Social Factors

We implemented an online anonymous survey targeted to current and former students, where the interviewed indicate whether and to what extent they cheated during written university exams. We find that 61% of respondents have cheated once or more. Cheaters are more likely to report that their classmates and friends cheated, and that in general people can be trusted. Two different cheating styles emerge: ‘social cheaters’, who self-report that they have violated the rules interacting with others; ‘individualistic’ cheaters, who self-report that they have used prohibited materials. Only social cheaters exhibit higher levels of trust compared to individualistic cheaters.