28, February 2025

Self-attribution as correlate of cheating behaviour among students in public secondary schools in Oyo state, Nigeria

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-2; FEB-2025

Author(s): OLAGUNJU, BOLANLE IDAYAT

Authors Affiliations:

Lecture II, Educational Psychology and Counseling/Specialized and Professional Education/Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo/Nigeria

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202502024     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202502024


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This study investigates the relationship between self-attribution and cheating behavior among students in public secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. The research adopts a correlational descriptive survey design, targeting a sample of 250 senior secondary students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, comprising items on self-attribution and various forms of cheating behavior. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship (r = .838, p < .01) between external, unstable self-attribution and the likelihood of engaging in cheating behavior. The findings indicate that students who attribute their academic successes and failures to external factors or perceive  factors as inconsistent are more prone to rationalize and engage in dishonest academic practices. The study also highlights that a substantial proportion of respondents believe that external and unstable attribution styles significantly contribute to cheating behavior. Based on these findings, the study recommended promotion of internal and stable attribution styles through educational programs that emphasize personal responsibility and ethical decision-making. Additionally, the study advocates for the integration of ethical education into the curriculum, the enhancement of teacher-student relationships, and the implementation of fair and transparent assessment practices to reduce the prevalence of cheating. These interventions are crucial in fostering a culture of academic integrity and reducing the tendency towards dishonest behavior in educational settings.

Self-attribution, cheating behavior, academic dishonesty, public secondary school students. 

OLAGUNJU, BOLANLE IDAYAT(2025); Self-attribution as correlate of cheating behaviour among students in public secondary schools in Oyo state, Nigeria, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-2, Pp.155-165.          Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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