RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CYBER PLAGIARISM AND THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN A CHILEAN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The relationship between cyber plagiarism and the big five personality traits was explored in a sample of Chilean undergraduate students (N=106). A questionnaire based on 44 items was used to measure the respondents’ big five personality traits. In addition, a three-item scale was adopted to measure self-report on the behaviour of cyber plagiarism. The technique of partial least squares regression was used for data analysis. The results indicate that an increase in cyber plagiarism (R2=.22) is significant and negatively related to the personality traits of conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience, as also significant and positively related to the personality trait of neuroticism.