Bad apple effect: study shows how people are influenced by rule-breaking of others

New research challenges the common "bad apple" idiom by demonstrating how observing significant rule-breaking by others can escalate into widespread non-compliance, rather than isolating the behavior to a single individual. The study indicates that when people witness larger violations, they tend to increase their own rule-breaking, suggesting a contagious effect of misconduct. This phenomenon has implications for various contexts, from political corruption like politicians taking bribes to workplace issues such as bullying and harassment in City firms. The research highlights a critical dynamic where general adherence to rules can rapidly deteriorate into widespread rule-breaking, underscoring the importance of addressing rule violations comprehensively to prevent their proliferation throughout a group or organization.