[Okgrantsmanship] Ethics on the Rise? Maybe something to do with ethics training for undergraduates?????

[Mason, Linda]

Survey shows dishonesty among U.S. students drops in 2012

By CATHY PAYNE USA TODAY   Tulsa World 11/26/2012

Are American students making the grade when it comes to ethics?

A survey from the Josephson Institute of Ethics finds that the portion of high school students who admit to cheating, lying or stealing dropped in 2012 for the first time in a decade. The reasons aren't known, but the results of the poll of 23,000 high school students give leaders of the organization hope. The survey is "a pretty good sign that things may be turning around," said Michael Josephson, the founder and president of the Los Angeles-based institute. "I'm quite optimistic this is the beginning of a downward trend."

Among the highlights from the survey, which is conducted every two years:

Students who said they had cheated on an exam in the past year plunged from 59 percent in 2010 to 51 percent in 2012. The number of students who said they lied to a teacher in the past year about something significant fell from 61 percent in 2010 to 55 percent in 2012. In 2010, 27 percent of pupils said they had stolen from a store in the past year. In 2012, 20 percent said they did so.

One reason for the decline may be more attention to character. "Changes in children's behavior of this magnitude suggest a major shift in parenting and school involvement in issues of honesty and character," Josephson said.

The survey found boys are more likely than girls to engage in dishonest conduct. Forty-five percent of boys believe that "a person has to lie and cheat at least occasionally sometimes in order to succeed" compared with 28 percent of girls. Boys might also be more aggressive and competitive, said David Walsh, a developmental psychologist in Minneapolis. "We want our sons to be able to channel that energy in a positive direction," said Walsh, the author of the books "Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids" and "Why Do They Act That Way?" "Some boys end up being leaders and being outstanding."



Linda Mason, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Grant Writing
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-225-9486 desk
405-706-8757 cell
405-225-9230 FAX
lmason at osrhe.edu
www.okhighered.org/grant-opps/

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