Cheating and Lying - Research Paper Example

Cheating and Lying Cheating and lying are acts that follow each other. They are highly persistent in the society today. These acts can be performed in different fields which range from academics to relationships to sports. The statistics of cheating and lying have greatly increased over the years. Women and the wealthy age groups have higher rates of cheating and lying. Different cases of cheating have come forward which includes the case of Adam Wheeler who faked all his documents and managed to get admission in Harvard. Similar cases of cheating have been reported in the sports industry. There are many reasons for these acts. Parents should play a strong role in preventing their children from engaging in these acts since an early age. Cheating and lying are acts that are performed by almost everyone and people do not even feel guilty about their act and nor do they consider it wrong. Cheating and lying can be performed in different forms. These include cheating during an exam or lying to get away from a task that one does not wish to perform. It is a part of human nature to even lie when telling an event or a story. A person has a tendency to omit or modify details that he believes are uninteresting and this act is known as telling “little white lies.” (Gislason 2011; Whitbourne 2010). Cheating and lying is a widespread problem during the academic career, relationships as well as other aspects of an individual’s life. The prevalence of cheating as well as lying is very high amongst the students in the United States. This was concluded by a survey conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics focusing on 20000 students. The results provided alarming results as it was seen that 54 percent of children who were in sixth and seventh grade of school and 77 percent of students of high school used unfair means and cheated during the examinations. The statistics for lying were even higher in these groups of students. 88 percent of sixth and seventh graders as well as 92 percent of high school students lied to their parents. These statistics indicate the fact that the act of cheating and lying has become a deep rooted issue (Gislason 2011). In a similar study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics in 2010 that focused upon 43000 students in their high school showed similar results. Approximately above half of the students replied in positive for cheating in one exam in the previous year and about one third of the students claimed that they had cheated two times or more in the exam. Internet as a source of copying material was also reported to be used by one out of every three students. Apart from cheating, lying was also reported by 48 percent male students and 35 percent female students. The reason for lying given by these students was to prevent giving away money (Terbush 2011). This shows a very depressing picture with regard to the academic environment and learning of the students in the United States. Another interesting finding that has been put forward by research that was carried out at the University of California by researchers explained that the higher social class has a greater tendency and rate of lying in comparison to the less wealthy groups. The study used different ways to assess the social status of the subjects and they were then assigned different tasks before this conclusion was drawn (Huffington Post 2012). Authors and experts have also suggested that fact females are good at lying in comparison to their counterparts. They lie more frequently as compared to males and there is a very low tendency that their lies may get caught. Susan Shapiro Barash who has written the book, “Little White Lies, Deep Dark Secrets” explains that “lying is a way of life for women” (Whelan 2008). Thus, studies and researches have highlighted the high figures of lying and cheating that have been reported in high school students and 6th and 7th graders. A higher rate of lying is also seen in the wealthier groups and women have a greater tendency of lying as well. Lying and cheating has been linked with very serious and ethical issues all around the world. It has led to academic wrongdoings as well as wrong occurrences on international important events which include sports. The most significant and serious example where cheating was used in academics is explained by the case of Adam Wheeler. This case came forward in the year 2010. Adam Wheeler had actually completed his graduation from a school in Delaware and he had studied in a college in Maine which was the Bowdoin College. But he forged his documents and submitted mark sheets of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Harvard in the year 2007 for the purpose of being transferred. He presented a perfect mark sheet with all A grades. He created false letters of recommendations from professors as well. Not only this, Wheeler also utilized his false transcripts and results to gain scholarships and rewards of about fifty thousand dollars from Harvard. During his stay at Harvard, he did not put an end to his act of cheating and he copied his professor’s letter for applying to the Rhodes scholarship. His act was caught and Wheeler did not return to Harvard so that he would not have to face the consequences. He rather again applied to Yale University in 2010 for a transfer. Wheeler did not wish to put a stop to his acts of cheating but he rather wanted to continue this way. His acts were caught when his parents found out and they intervened in the matter. Wheeler was facing trial in court for 20 wrong acts. His cheating and wrongful acts were not restricted to universities but he also applied for internships on the basis of false resumes. The case of Adam Wheeler explains the extent of cheating to which students can resort to. There have been other similar cases where students have cheated and created wrong transcripts and gained scholarships and aids from universities ranging from twenty two thousand to thirty two thousand dollars (Steinberg and Zezima 2010). Apart from academic cheating, other forms of cheating have also been seen and revealed. This includes cheating in sports games. Different techniques used in different sports for cheating include eating a blood capsule in the game of rugby to show a fake injury in the game. Footballers can claim that they have been severely injured though the scale of the injury is very low. Cheating has been a part of important sports events since many years. During the beginning of the twentieth century, runners in the Olympics used to win the races by cheating by taking shortcuts or by using trains for reaching near the final spot. Experts’ state different reasons due to which the players opt for cheating. According to James Lowther who is a sports psychologist at the Kingston University, “Competitors who are ego orientated [always comparing themselves to others] are prone to unsporting behaviour.” He further stated that some players wish to win the game via any means irrespective of the consequence. He also explained that the desire for the awards that would be won is greater in some players and this is the reason that pushes them to cheat. According to Lowther, the awareness with regard to cheating in the games has increased in recent times and some players have come forward themselves and have explained the wrongs that they committed. Proper checks and regulations are needed to prevent these acts (Barbuti 2009). Surprising events where players have cheated in sports games have been reported. This includes the event that took place in the year 1994 during the skating tournament in the United States. Tonya Harding made a plan along with her husband at that time to get her opponent Nancy Kerrigan injured so that she would not be able to compete in the finals. They succeeded in their plan and got Kerrigan injured (Brennan 2004). This event highlights the extent to which individuals can resort to. The example of Adam Wheeler and the cheating that goes around in the sports events indicates the scale of cheating that persists in different fields today. Cheating and lying are acts that have many underlying reasons. A person learns and develops the habit of cheating and lying since a very young age. The highest tendency is during the school years. When students do not get caught with lying to their teachers, they become more confident and repeat the same acts again. This is because they are aware of the fact that they can get away with their lying habits. It is also believed that people who create false stories have a tendency to follow this trend as well. A person tells a story to others and when he receives interest, he continues this act. The story becomes a part of his memory and he longer believes that he is actually lying. Another important factor is that every individual believes that he is truthful and does not lie. This perception and thinking pushes a person to change the original details within his mind and to believe that whatever he is doing and saying is justified despite of the fact that he may be lying or cheating. It is a very common habit of individuals who cheat or lie to never find themselves responsible for their acts. They rather come up with reasons that satisfy them for their wrong acts (Whitbourne 2010). It has been indicated that children above the age of three years can tell the difference between truth and lie. Children can also develop a tendency to cheat at an early age owing to the attention that they gain. It is the job of the parents to guide the children since a very early age to not resort to these acts. Parents should explain the young children as to why cheating and lying is wrong. They should be told inspiring stories relating to honesty so that they take them as examples. The children should be explained the benefits of truth and the negativities that accompany cheating as well as lying (MSNBC 2005). Parents should play a strong role to shape the character and personality of the young ones so that they grow up to realize the true difference between truth and lie as well as fairness and cheating. Cheating and lying have become very common in today’s world. They have been in existence since a very long time but their rate has greatly increased. Studies conducted in schools have presented the fact that a very high percentage of high school students as well as sixth and seventh graders are engaged in the acts of cheating as well as lying. At the same time, it has also been revealed by research that the higher classes have a greater tendency to lie in comparison to the other classes. Women are also labelled to be good at lying when compared to males. Academic cheating and cheating in sports events has been in existence since a long time. Adam Wheeler who created wrong transcripts and made his way to Harvard is a perfect example of academic cheating. He used wrong means to get enrolled in Harvard and get scholarships of fifty thousand dollars. Cheating events have also been reported in sports. The case of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding is an example. There are many reasons that lead to cheating and lying. Individuals generally develop this habit at a young age. It is for this reason that parents should be alert and they should teach their children the difference between right and wrong. References Barbuti, Jon. (2009, September 30). Why do sportsmen cheat? BBC Sport. Retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/8273483.stm Brennan, Christine. (2004, May 1) Nancy-Tonya drama struck gold for the popularity of figure skating. USA Today. Retrieved from: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2004-01-06-brennan_x.htm Gislasson, Stephen J. (2011). Human Nature & Group Dynamics. Sechelt. British Columbia. Huffington Post. (2012, February 28). Rich People 'More Likely To Lie, Cheat And Break The Law.' Huffington Post UK. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/28/rich-people-cheat-lie-break-law_n_1306167.html MSNBC. (2005, 4 June). Keep kids away from lying and cheating. MSNBC Today. Retrieved from: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/7390185/ns/today-parenting_and_family/t/keep-kids-away-lying-cheating/#.T7Gp8-vzvTJ Steinberg, Jacques & Katie Zezima. (2010, May 18). Campuses Ensnared by ‘Life of Deception.’ The New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/education/19harvard.html?pagewanted=all Terbush, Sophie (2011, February 14). Survey: Cheating, lying widespread among high school students. USA Today. Retrieved from: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/wellness/teen-ya/story/2011/02/Survey-Cheating-lying-widespread-among-high-school-students/43627926/1 Whelan, Christine. (2008, July 4). Are Women Better Liars than Men? The Huffington Post: Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-whelan/are-women-better-liars-th_b_95477.html Whitbourne, Susan K. (2010, May 18). “Excuses, excuses, excuses: Why people lie, cheat, and procrastinate.” Psychology Today. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201005/excuses-excuses-excuses-why-people-lie-cheat-and-procrastinate Read More