The Influence of School Moral Atmosphere on Junior High School Students’ Cheating Intention: Mediating Effect of Moral Disengagement

doi:10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.01.016

Abstract

Abstract: Cheating is a prevalent form of unethical behavior in school settings. This study investigated the formation mechanism of students’ cheating intention by examining both situational and individual factors. Study 1 used questionnaire to measure 413 junior high school students, examining the relationship between school moral atmosphere, moral disengagement, and junior high school students’ cheating intention; Study 2 adopted scenario-based experimental design to manipulate school moral atmosphere and further examine its causal effect on students’ cheating intention, as well as the mediating role of moral disengagement. The results consistently showed that school moral atmosphere predicted middle school students’ intention to cheat, and moral disengagement mediated the relationship between school moral atmosphere and cheating intention. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce students’ cheating behavior and prevent the formation of cheating intentions should adopt a multifaceted approach, such as fostering a positive school moral atmosphere and diminishing the influence of moral disengagement.

Key words: cheating intention, school moral atmosphere, moral disengagement, junior high school students

摘要： 考试作弊是频发的校园不道德行为，本研究从情境因素和个体因素两方面入手，探究作弊行为意向的形成机制。研究1采用问卷调查法对413名初中生进行施测，考察学校道德氛围、道德推脱与初中生作弊行为意向的关系；研究2采用情境实验法操纵学校道德氛围，验证学校道德氛围和初中生作弊行为意向的因果关系，以及道德推脱在其中的作用。结果一致表明学校道德氛围预测初中生作弊行为意向，道德推脱在学校道德氛围与作弊行为意向的关系间起中介作用。研究结果揭示，学校和教育者制止学生作弊行为和防止作弊行为意向可以从多角度入手，如营造学校良好道德氛围、弱化道德推脱的影响。

关键词: 作弊行为意向, 学校道德氛围, 道德推脱, 初中生

CLC Number:

B849

JIN Hui, ZHANG Xue, WANG Yuepeng, MENG Weijie. The Influence of School Moral Atmosphere on Junior High School Students’ Cheating Intention: Mediating Effect of Moral Disengagement[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2026, 24(1): 138-144.

金慧, 张雪, 王跃鹏, 孟维杰. 学校道德氛围对初中生作弊行为意向的影响：道德推脱的中介作用[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2026, 24(1): 138-144.

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