David Rettinger

Professor and Director of Academic Integrity Programs University of Mary Washington

  • Fredericksburg VA

Dr. Rettinger is an internationally recognized expert on academic integrity.

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University of Mary Washington

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2 min

Is there such a thing as ‘a little cheating’ in American schools? Let our expert explain.

Cheating … it’s a universal tactic that seems to be a part of every academic institution regardless of subject, program or geography. Recently, Inside Higher Ed took a look at how students view cheating – and how their perspective of just what constitutes cheating is viewed. UMW’s David Rettinger provided his expert take on just what is going on in American schools. How acceptable is it to use study websites, or Google, to find answers to test or homework questions? What about using unapproved technology or tools to assist in an online exam? And would it be OK to give credit to another team member on a group project even if that person did not participate? These are a few ways the latest Student Voice survey, conducted in midto late October by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse with support from Kaplan, explored the nuances of academic integrity and what students view as unethical… When David Rettinger, president emeritus of the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), looked over the Student Voice data, he was drawn to the numbers that showed how much students realize certain actions would be considered cheating. “Some of [the unacceptable responses] are a little lighter for sure, but students generally would describe these behaviors as unacceptable,” says Rettinger, a professor of psychological science and director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington. “Their institutions talk about these things, and students know what they’re supposed to do, yet students cheat a fair bit.” He can imagine a stressed-out student saying, “I know it’s unacceptable, mostly I don’t do it, but in this situation, I’m going to do something I generally don’t believe in.” “That poses a problem for us as administrators,” he adds. December 07 – Inside Higher Ed Professor of Psychological Science David Rettinger oversees Academic Integrity Programs at the University of Mary Washington. He is available to provide expert insight into this study and the concept of students who cheat while attending at American colleges and universities. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

David Rettinger

1 min

Offshore A’s – UMW’s David Rettinger is the go-to expert for the Varsity Blues trial

The Varsity Blues case captured headlines over two years ago, when news broke that wealthy parents paid upwards of $25 million in bribes to help their children cheat on test scores and secure college admission. As the trial gets underway this week, Professor of Psychological Science David Rettinger, who oversees Academic Integrity Programs at the University of Mary Washington, can provide unique insight into the scandal and the rise of contract cheating at colleges and universities across the country. He was recently interviewed by CBS News about the billion dollar cheating industry that has emerged in Kenya, where Americans are paying African students to do homework, write essays and in some cases, even complete degrees for them. "I think the state of cheating at colleges and universities is serious and getting more serious," David Rettinger ... told CBS News. He said that cheating is problematic because it means people can graduate from degree programs without actually being qualified in their fields. "We trust our doctors have been to medical school," Rettinger said. "Cheating leads us to overall social corruption because it leads us to having a cadre of professionals who can't actually do the work that they claim they can do." You can see the full interview and story here: Dr. David Rettinger is available to speak with media regarding this issue of cheating and academic integrity. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

David Rettinger

1 min

Experts in the Media: UMW’s David Rettinger on troubling trend of student cheating at American universities

The pressures and anxieties for students to perform in post-secondary institutions have always been a factor. Add in the impacts of COVID-19 on the last two years of learning, and the increase of instances of cheating has gone through the roof. Recently, David Rettinger, a professor of psychological science and director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington sat in on the TechTank Podcast to talk about how American colleges and universities are dealing with cheating. Students are heading back to class soon, and if you are a journalist looking to cover this subject, then let us help with your stories. Dr. David Rettinger is available to speak with media regarding this issue of cheating and academic integrity. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

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Biography

Dr. David Rettinger is a “utility infielder” of academic integrity. He has taught psychology at the college level for over 20 years, served as Procedural Advisor to UMW’s student-run honor system for more than 10 years, and has published frequently on the psychology of academic integrity. With a PhD in Cognitive Psychology, he is also well versed in the basic principles of learning science that underlie excellent teaching. More formally, David is Professor of Psychological Science and Director of Academic Integrity Programs at the University of Mary Washington. He also is Procedural Advisor to UMW’s student-run honor system. His academic research interest is in academic integrity behavior, having published research on the psychology of cheating in Theory into Practice, Research in Higher Education, Ethics and Behavior, and Psychological Perspectives on Academic Cheating. His research has demonstrated the importance of students’ attitudes toward school and beliefs about peer behavior in determining whether students will cheat. He has presented on topics relating to pedagogy, policy, and practice in academic integrity around the U. S. and internationally.

His collaborations include partnerships in Nepal, Chile, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, and Ukraine and is currently on the Fulbright Specialist Roster as a consultant on issues of academic integrity.

He has appeared in numerous media outlets like the CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Inside Higher Education, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Rettinger is President Emeritus of the International Center for Academic Integrity, an organization founded to combat cheating, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty in higher education. In addition, he leads the organization's efforts in assessment and survey research, continuing the McCabe academic integrity survey.

He earned a Ph.D. (1998) and an M.A. (1994) in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, after receiving a B.A. (1991) with high honors and distinction in psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Areas of Expertise

Psychology of Student Cheating
Academic Integrity Policy
Teaching and Learning for Academic Integrity
Faculty Development
Institutional Assessment of Academic Integrity

Education

University of Colorado

Ph.D.

Psychology

University of Colorado

M.A.

Psychology

University of Michigan

B.A.

Psychology

Affiliations

  • International Center for Academic Integrity : President Emeritus
  • Fredericksburg-Nepal Exchange : Board Member

Media Appearances

Zero cheating is a pipe dream, but we still need to push academic integrity

Times Higher Education  online

2023-02-10

David Rettinger and Erica Price Burns offer key points for institutions to consider when creating systems that encourage academic integrity among students. David Rettinger is professor of psychological science and director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington and former president of the International Center for Academic Integrity.

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Simple Interventions Can Curb Cheating, Study Finds

Inside Higher Education  online

2022-11-10

David Rettinger, director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington and president emeritus of the International Center for Academic Integrity, said several interventions in the study have previously proven effective, including talking with students about the definition and importance of academic integrity.

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Combating Student Cheating: Key Podcast Reprise

Inside Higher Education  online

2022-04-08

David Rettinger is a professor of psychological science and director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington, and Kate McConnell is assistant vice president for research and assessment and director of the Value Institute at the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

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Articles

The role of emotions and attitudes in causing and preventing cheating

Theory Into Practice

David A. Rettinger

2017

Given that students at secondary and postsecondary levels believe that certain behaviors are morally wrong and consider them cheating, they still perform them, albeit infrequently. This article examines the psychology of cheating, emphasizing individual psychological factors that influence integrity behavior. From this research, strategies to prevent cheating for students at all levels emerge...

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The influence of personality on the decision to cheat

Ethics & Behavior

Melissa McTernan, Patrick Love, David Rettinger

2013

Seventeen transgressive behaviors were studied in the context of six personality variables using survey methods. The personality variables were impulsivity, sensation seeking, empathetic perspective taking, guilt, and shame, with social desirability used as a control. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a five-factor model as having the best fit...

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Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Cheating: The Influence of Direct Knowledge and Attitudes on Academic Dishonesty

Ethics & Behavior

Jillian O'Rourke, Jeffrey Barnes, Anna Deaton, Kristopher Fulks, Kristina Ryan, David A Rettinger

2010

What effect does witnessing other students cheat have on one's own cheating behavior? What roles do moral attitudes and neutralizing attitudes (justifications for behavior) play when deciding to cheat? The present research proposes a model of academic dishonesty which takes into account each of these variables. Findings from experimental (vignette) and survey methods determined that seeing others cheat increases cheating behavior by causing students to judge the behavior less morally reprehensible, not by making rationalization easier. Witnessing cheating also has unique effects, controlling for other variables...

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