Self-Control, Injunctive Norms, and Descriptive Norms Predict Engagement in Plagiarism in a Theory of Planned Behavior Model

Curtis, Guy J.; Cowcher, Emily; Greene, Brady R.; Rundle, Kiata; Paull, Megan; Davis, Melissa C.

doi:10.1007/s10805-018-9309-2

Published: 06 June 2018

Self-Control, Injunctive Norms, and Descriptive Norms Predict Engagement in Plagiarism in a Theory of Planned Behavior Model

Guy J. Curtis ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4174-6955¹,
Emily Cowcher¹,
Brady R. Greene¹,
Kiata Rundle¹,
Megan Paull² &
Melissa C. Davis³

Journal of Academic Ethics volume 16, pages 225–239 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) predicts that a combination of attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control predict intentions, and that intentions ultimately predict behavior. Previous studies have found that the TPB can predict students’ engagement in plagiarism. Furthermore, the General Theory of Crime suggests that self-control is particularly important in predicting engagement in unethical behavior such as plagiarism. In Study 1 (N = 229), we incorporated self-control in a TPB model and tested whether norms, attitudes, and self-control predicted intention to plagiarize and plagiarism behavior. The best statistical fit for the path-analytic model was achieved when a direct path from self-control to plagiarism engagement was specified. In Study 2 (N = 320), we added a measure of perceived behavioral control and split the measurement of norms into descriptive (normal behavior) and injunctive (good behavior) components. This study found that both self-control and perceived-behavioral control additively contributed to the prediction of plagiarism and the path-analytic model achieved its best fit when direct paths from perceived norms to plagiarism behavior were specified. These studies suggest that setting strong anti-plagiarism norms, such as by the use of honor codes, and seeking to enhance students’ self-control may reduce engagement in plagiarism.

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Authors and Affiliations

School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
Guy J. Curtis, Emily Cowcher, Brady R. Greene & Kiata Rundle
School of Business and Governance, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
Megan Paull
School of Psychology, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
Melissa C. Davis

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Guy J. Curtis
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Emily Cowcher
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Brady R. Greene
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Kiata Rundle
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Megan Paull
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Melissa C. Davis
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Correspondence to Guy J. Curtis.

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Curtis, G.J., Cowcher, E., Greene, B.R. et al. Self-Control, Injunctive Norms, and Descriptive Norms Predict Engagement in Plagiarism in a Theory of Planned Behavior Model. J Acad Ethics 16, 225–239 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-018-9309-2

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Published: 06 June 2018
Issue Date: September 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-018-9309-2

Keywords

Plagiarism
Self-control
Theory of planned behavior
Norms
Attitudes