Research Blog #10: Abstract & Bibliography

Abstract

My paper explores the underlying causes of the fact that international students, especially Chinese students in American colleges tend to commit more to unethical academic behavior such as cheating and plagiarism. The Neutralization Theory can help explain part of the issue. Due to lack of school support, international students find it easier apply some of the "neutralizing techniques" to help rationalize and justify certain unethical behavior, especially when they are confronted with tremendous challenges caused by language deficiencies. Consequently, the possibility of conducting unethical academic behavior is much higher among the group of international students. Nevertheless, my paper also argues that there is complexity in terms of the fact that Chinese students are more likely to conduct unethical academic behavior. The Neutralization Theory lacks cultural consideration in the way that there is a cultural identity separateness and different education systems in Asian societies. Both reasons force international students to have motives to cheat and plagiarize alleged in American colleges. Therefore, instead of relying on international students to help with funding, American colleges may reconsider the circumstances of international students and devote more resources to understand their culture in order to ensure them a smooth cultural transition process.


Bibliography


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