Academic misconduct: An examination of its association with the dark triad and antisocial behavior

Abstract

Previous research has shown clear relationships between academic misconduct and the dark triad personality traits (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism). The present study aims to replicate and extend these findings by examining the relationship between different types of academic misconduct and the dark triad traits. We also explore the relationship between academic misconduct and antisocial behavior. Participants (330 university students) completed questionnaires measuring academic misconduct, the dark triad, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior. Most participants (77%) admitted committing at least one form of academic misconduct. When controlling for impulsivity, psychopathy was the only dark triad variable associated with academic misconduct. When primary psychopathy and secondary psychopathy were considered, only primary psychopathy was associated with academic misconduct. These results suggest that the core personality features of psychopathy may account for its link with academic misconduct, rather than features of social disinhibition and impulsivity. The antisocial behavior of rule breaking was associated with falsification, as well as high risk and low risk academic misconduct; social aggression was associated with copying; and none of the antisocial behaviors were associated with plagiarism. Based on these findings, it is suggested that academic misconduct is common in university students and instructors should take preventative measures to reduce these behaviors.