The Phenomenon Of Discrepancy Between Students' Knowledge And Moral Behavior

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the discrepancy between students’ moral knowledge and their moral behavior within the educational environment. The research employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive design, intending to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon based on real conditions in the field. Data collection techniques include observation, in depth interviews, and documentation, with research subjects consisting of students, teachers, and other related parties. The results indicate that students generally possess a fairly good level of moral knowledge, particularly regarding values such as honesty, responsibility, and discipline. However, in practice, inconsistencies are still found between this knowledge and the behaviors displayed, such as cheating, lack of discipline, and irresponsibility. This suggests that moral knowledge has not been fully internalized within the students. The factors contributing to this discrepancy include internal factors such as low self-control and motivation, as well as external factors such as lack of role modeling from teachers, family environment, peer influence, and digital media exposure. Therefore, a more comprehensive and sustainable character education approach is needed one that integrates cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects to create alignment between students’ moral knowledge and their actions.