Succeeding vs Ethics
Dan Ariely, a behavioral economics professor at Duke University, describes this situation using the “fudge factor theory.” In simple terms, the fudge factor theory states that humans have a desire to secure the benefits of cheating but simultaneously view ourselves as honest people (Ariely). The decision to cheat often comes down to the importance of the assignment/grade. If the benefits of taking a risk on the assignment outweigh the costs and if the end results will still make one look like a good person then a person is more likely to cheat. Putting this theory into action, getting into a top school is a dream of many high school students. Grades and course rigor are the most significant factors considered by college admissions officers when considering applicants (Crotty). |
90% of students at Ivy League school were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class (Crotty). Admission to a top tier school is a high reward for cheating through high school. In most schools, the costs of cheating involve parent notification and a 0 on the assignment. With the high volume of assignments in schools, being caught cheating on one assignment is not enough of a punishment to deter students. One student simply said “You could study for two hours and get an 80, or you could take a risk and get a 90” (Yee). Cheating has become a game of numbers that is played because of the way grades, transcripts, and assignments are treated. A student’s academic record usually only reflects the letter grade and a numerical GPA with no explanation of how the grade was earned. Students are less likely to cheat if their school values mastery of a subject over performance on a test (Walker). Cheating has also become a game of numbers due to the college admissions process. Many resources accessible to students provide data about average GPA and test scores and allow students to compare their own academic results to students admitted into that specific college. This data presents a road map that students will attempt to follow to secure admission regardless of the methods used. This provides a goal for students to aspire to throughout high school. Knowing that they must meet these high standards creates pressure that sometimes causes students to resort to desperate measures.
