Students' honesty in correcting grading errors

Abstract

In 3 experiments, psychology students were asked to correct grading errors on test papers. Before the students had knowledge of the experimental set-up, approximately 90% left the grade too high when the correcting errors were in their favor, and about 95% raised their grade when it was to their disadvantage. However, after they learned that the experiment was a test of honesty, 99% lowered their grade when it was too high, and 99% also raised it when it was too low. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)