Plagiarism

How Does Culture Impact Plagiarism?

A less recognized factor that can result in plagiarism is the extent to which the United States definition and understanding of plagiarism are very culturally specific. Students coming into the United States from other countries often have a significantly different understanding of what plagiarism or appropriate academic behavior are. 

For example, students who come from collectivist cultures, which emphasize the importance of the society or social group as more important than the individual, may not understand the importance that U.S. culture places on identifying and attributing sources of information.They may not even see it as being as critical to credit their own work, especially within a group activity. Clearly this may make any request to grade group partners problematic. Some cultures do not even have a definition of plagiarism or copyright. (elearn: Why Do Students Plagiarize? A Cultural Perspective.)

Significant research has focused on these issues in relation to Asian cultures. For example, many Asian cultures' education systems emphasize memorization as a major learning tool. elearn's Why Do Students Plagiarize indicates that there are multiple reasons why this method may meet specific cultural needs:

• major national exams that determine students' futures, and on which memorization leads to success
• deference and respect for scholarly authorities that sees memorization of an authority as a tribute
• de-emphasizing the individual over the importance of the group

The elearn article also examines potential effects of these beliefs in relation to plagiarism:

• given the importance of the social group as a whole, the belief that no one except a major authority deserves specific credit
• a sense that originality is simply not possible (and thus citation is not necessary)
• a previous emphasis on textbook-only learning may result in little or no previous experience dealing with external resources
• insufficient writing experience other than using writing as a tool to further comprehend specific sources 
• inadequate English language skills that may lead to copying sources in an effort to present the materially clearly
• grade pressure because of familial/social expectations or scholarship requirements (linked to visa status) can lead to desperation plagiarism
• experience in a culture that emphasizes collaboration may lead to information sharing that is not regarded as appropriate in American culture
• little or no cultural concept of plagiarism may result in students simply not understanding American expectations regarding citation

Clearly, a student's cultural background may significantly impact their writing style. But it is critical to understand that as the world becomes more global in orientation, pinpointing where a particular culture lies on the individualism vs collectivism spectrum will, at best, be a generalization. The circumstances and background experiences of individual students further modify any particular student's understanding of U.S. practice and expectations in these areas. For this reason, consider whether or not this may factor in a particular instance of plagiarism or failure to meet class expectations and discuss it with the student involved.