Can game theory explain grade inflation and AI cheating
A non-technical conceptual analysis and proposed research program
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22165810 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eric C Prichard (0000-0002-9625-0586, University of Michigan, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-29 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2504-284X • E-ISSN: 2504-284X |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/feduc.2026.1813391 |
| OpenAlex | W7159568722 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 16 |
Game theory emerged in the 1940's as a method of using mathematical models and games played in experimental situations to model human behavior in the context of economic situations. This paper argues that some basic ideas from game theory, combined with Goodhart's Law, suggest that grade inflation, defined as the gradual increase in high marks given out at universities over the last several decades, and even widespread AI cheating, defined as using AI to complete work and then claiming it as one's own, are Nash Equilibria given the current incentive structure of higher education. The paper argues that in order to counter such trends, faculty should use game theoretic thinking and future research should investigate how to shift the change the incentive structure of the classroom to make sill building and learning the goals of the games student paly, as opposed to obtaining specific letter grade. In addition, this conceptual analysis submits two research designs and their attendant hypotheses. It is the intent of the author that these hypotheses will be tested in the future. As this is a conceptual paper and not an empirical work per se , it is intended that the research designs will be seen as a preregistration of design and materials and will be attempted by at least one research team in the future
Empirical research · Experimental economics · Game theory · Incentive · Nash equilibrium · Research program · Academic integrity and plagiarism · Innovations in Educational Methods · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences
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The student evaluation of teaching and likability
Course grades as a signal of student achievement
A decade of grade inflation boosted by the Covid ‐19 pandemic—An empirical analysis of a top European university
Classroom games and simulations
| Highly cited | No |
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