Most students have experienced someone looking at their paper. I get really angry when someone tries to look at my answers. Some students allow others to look at their answers during a test. In that situation, both students have cheated. Studies show that universities with honor codes have a lower rate of cheating.
Honor codes are pledges made by students for the detection and sanctioning of academic dishonesty.
McCabe and Trevino found that while universities with an honor code have a 29 percent cheating rate, universities without an honor code have a 24 percent higher incidence of cheating. Austin Peay, along with the majority of universities in America, does not have an honor code. McCabe and Trevino believe cheating is lower under honor code systems because students wish to protect privileges the system provides. Students respond positively to strategies that place responsibilities on them for governing issues of academic dishonesty and the social pressures not to cheat. Shannon Clemmons, a senior communications major, transferred from Birmingham Southern University where they have a strong honor system.