Researchers from the University of Amsterdam conducted an online experiment involving 750 people in the US. The participants were asked to complete a task and received rewards for selecting squares further to the right of the correct square. However, seeing others break rules led to increased individual's rule-breaking.
Bad Apple Effect: Study Shows How People Are Influenced by Rule-Breaking of Others
UKPulse Health DeskResearch has found that seeing others break rules can lead people to increase their own rule-breaking, with a study showing how this 'bad apple effect' can quickly spread in a group.
- A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that people are influenced by the rule-breaking they see in others
- Seeing others break rules slightly increased individual's rule-breaking, while seeing others follow the rules reduced it
- The 'bad apple effect' can quickly spread in a group, with a minority of individuals causing widespread rule-breaking
Why this matters: The study highlights the importance of considering social influence when making decisions about rule-breaking
What this means for you: This research suggests that you may be more likely to break rules if you see others doing so, and highlights the importance of considering social influence in your decision-making.