Disengaged Students Are More Likely to Use AI Tools Like ChatGPT for Assignments: Study

A new psychology study from Swansea University suggest that students who are often disengaged find themselves more likely relying on generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for academic assignments.

Degree of Apathy Leads to ChatGPT?

In March 2023, 160 undergraduate students, aged 18 to 24, participated in the survey to gauge their opinions and previous experiences using AI technologies like ChatGPT for academic purposes.

Of those surveyed, 32 percent said they would be willing to use AI tools for their assignments, and 15 percent said they had already used them.

Interestingly, the researchers found that academic performance and self-confidence in one's study skills, along with commonly used indicators of academic behavior, did not accurately predict future use of AI tools for coursework.

However, degree of apathy turned out to be a major predictor.

The influence of the five major personality traits is generally considerable in behavioral investigations, according to lead author Dr. David Playfoot. But to the team's surprise, none of them was as important as the participants' degree of indifference to their degree program.

According to the study, students who scored higher on our degree apathy scale-a measure of their disinterest or lack of engagement with their degree program-were also more likely to say they were prepared to use AI for assignments.

Playfoot added that even individuals who are typically diligent are more inclined to use AI tools for their projects if they are disengaged from their degree program.

Probability of Cheating With ChatGPT

The impact of risk and repercussions on the probability of cheating with ChatGPT was also investigated in this study. The findings indicated that when there was a significant chance of being caught cheating or when there was a harsh penalty for doing so, students were less likely to cheat. Even in the face of greater risk, those with higher levels of apathy remained more inclined to commit academic misconduct.

Degree apathy is a significant risk factor for academic misconduct, according to co-author Dr. Andrew G. Thomas. The research emphasizes the need for educators and institutions to take proactive steps to address this issue and ensure the integrity of academic institutions.

The researcher suggested that harsher deterrents may be required for students who are found to be disengaged from their studies. The study ultimately hopes to open up new avenues for creative teaching strategies that support students' intrinsic drive and academic responsibility.

"This study paves the way for innovative teaching methods focused on nurturing students' intrinsic motivation and academic accountability. By understanding the role of degree apathy in students' decision making and actions, educators can enhance their ability to maintain academic standards and uphold integrity in today's digital academic environment," Thomas said in a press release statement.

The findings of the research team were published in the journal The Internet and Higher Education.