Professor Brian Harvey on why not to cheat

Summary

In this lecture, the speaker addresses the importance of avoiding cheating, explaining that it doesn’t harm fellow students or the university's reputation, but instead hurts the individual. The speaker emphasizes that habits formed early in life shape future behavior, and cheating cultivates a pattern of cutting corners that can damage one's career. The speaker stresses that success in life comes from truly learning and being capable, not from taking shortcuts. Ultimately, the message is clear: cheating is self-sabotage and leads to a life of inadequacy and failure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cheating harms your personal growth more than it affects others.
• 😀 Grading on a curve is not part of this course, so cheating doesn't directly impact fellow students.
• 😀 Competing against others rather than cooperating is harmful, and grading on a curve promotes unhealthy competition.
• 😀 The reputation of the University of California is not significantly affected by individual cheating incidents.
• 😀 The real harm of cheating is in the formation of bad habits that affect your future.
• 😀 Human behavior is driven by habits; cheating now may lead to cutting corners in future classes and jobs.
• 😀 Developing integrity early is important for success in upper-division courses and professional life.
• 😀 Being able to cut corners is dangerous in real-world professions, especially when others rely on you.
• 😀 Your future job might involve tasks where cutting corners could jeopardize safety (e.g., working with aircraft or technology).
• 😀 Cheating leads to a lifetime of doing things you don't understand or enjoy, which harms your career satisfaction.

Q & A

What is the primary reason the instructor gives for why students should avoid cheating?

The instructor argues that cheating harms the individual by fostering bad habits, which can affect future personal and professional growth. Cheating might seem harmless in the short term, but it ultimately leads to a lack of skills and knowledge, which can affect one’s career and life choices.

How does the instructor challenge the common argument that cheating harms other students?

The instructor refutes the idea that cheating harms other students, explaining that the course is not graded on a curve, so one's performance does not negatively impact others' grades. They also express disapproval of grading on a curve because it encourages competition rather than cooperation.

What does the instructor say about the reputation of the University of California in relation to cheating?

The instructor suggests that while certain incidents, such as scandals involving athletes, may occasionally affect the university's reputation, cheating in a class will not significantly harm the reputation of the University of California. The main focus should be on personal growth, not the institution’s public image.

What is the instructor's view on human behavior and how it relates to cheating?

The instructor believes that human behavior is largely shaped by habits rather than constant decision-making. By engaging in cheating, students are forming a habit of cutting corners, which will carry over into more challenging courses and eventually their professional lives.

Why does the instructor warn against developing the habit of cutting corners?

The instructor warns that cutting corners early on can make it difficult to cope with more demanding tasks in the future. This habit could negatively affect one's performance in advanced classes or professional environments, where it may be harder to succeed without a strong foundation of skills.

What example does the instructor use to highlight the risks of having cheaters in the workplace?

The instructor uses the example of an airplane programmer, explaining that they would not want to fly in a plane designed by someone who had cheated in class. This illustrates how a lack of competence resulting from cheating can have serious consequences in real-life situations.

What does the instructor suggest is the ultimate consequence of cheating?

The instructor suggests that the ultimate consequence of cheating is that it condemns the individual to a life of doing things they don’t understand or enjoy, as they lack the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

How does the instructor emphasize the long-term effects of cheating?

The instructor emphasizes that cheating may seem like a shortcut, but it ultimately sabotages one’s long-term success by reinforcing harmful habits and preventing personal growth. The focus should be on building skills and competence for the future.

What does the instructor mean when they say that students are 'constructing the person' they will be for the rest of their life?

The instructor means that the choices students make now, including whether or not to cheat, are shaping the habits and characteristics they will carry throughout their lives. These early decisions can have lasting impacts on their future careers and personal integrity.

What overall message does the instructor convey to students about the consequences of cheating?

The overall message is that cheating may seem like an easy option, but it leads to negative long-term consequences. Students should focus on building strong habits and developing real skills to ensure success in their academic and professional lives, as cheating ultimately hinders personal growth and career prospects.