Young Pandas Cheat and Smoke: A Social Control Theory Explanation of Chinese University Students' Exam Cheating and Smoking

Michael A. Cretacci

SUNY-Buffalo State, United States of America

Liu Zheng

Hainan University Law School, China

Yandong Gao

Zhejiang University, Guanghua Law School, China

Abstract:

This study tested a social control theory model in an attempt to partially explain exam cheating and smoking utilizing data collected from Chinese university students in two separate provinces. Measures included indicators of attachment, commitment, belief, and demographic controls. Generally, students that were attached and committed to their schools were associated with lower odds of exam cheating. Further, males who were attached to their parents were associated with lower odds of initiating smoking. However, delinquent peer attachment increased the odds that males would smoke. Implications of these results are discussed.

Keyword:

Social Control Theory, Social Bond Theory, Smoking, Exam Cheating, Academic Dishonesty, China.