INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF PERSONAL DISHONESTY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Nkechi Ozurumba, Ph.D

Abstract

The goal of educational institutions to bring forth graduates who have satisfied requirements
both in conduct and academic, has made the concept of dishonesty of utmost concern. The fact
that dishonesty has become prevalent and destructive of the reputation of educational institutions
also makes it a matter of interest. As a psychological construct, personal dishonesty has been
revealed as a pervasive problem that continues to plague academic institutions and distort the
values of learning. The present study exudes the predicting impact of self-control, selfsurveillance and planned behaviour on personal dishonesty among university postgraduate
students in south-western Nigeria. Responses were elicited using validated instruments and the
influence of these factors on the prediction of personal dishonesty has been established.
Implications and recommendations for possible intervention are also explained.