Narcissism Leads to Cheating

Guy with answers written on his arm.Persons who are narcissistic are egotistical, vain and conceited. They are usually selfish and are uncaring of others. Narcissists view themselves as being unique and special people and are driven to try and prove themselves better than others.

These attitudes lead college students to cheat on papers and examinations. They don’t feel guilty about cheating and attempt to cheat their way to the top of their class. These are the results of a study by Amy Brunell, an Assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University.

The study involved 199 college students. They completed a questionnaire that measured narcissism, levels of self-esteem, the level of cheating they were comfortable with, and lastly, how much guilt they would feel if they did cheat. Academic standing was obtained from records.

The author concludes that the narcissists’ ambitions for their own academic achievement lead to cheating in school, facilitated by a lack of guilt for their immoral behavior.

The Bible describes the results of narcissism in both the New and Old Testaments.

Luke 14:11 (NIV) “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Job 24:24 (NIV) “For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.”

Ellen White, a 19th Century health advocate echoes these sentements.

“Those who are self-confident, and think their way is above criticism, will show very imperfect work.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 90

“Self-righteousness is not true righteousness, and those who cling to it, and refuse to give it up, will be left to take the consequences of holding to a deception. Those who claim to keep the commandments of God, but are unsympathetic and cold, self-important and self-centered, have not the love of God in their hearts to flow forth to others.” Review and Herald, February 27, 1900.