APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
When We Break the Rules: Motivation, Meaning, and the Social Logic of Behavior:
- Cornel Stemley
Grand Canyon University
Abstract
This study examines why individuals justify breaking rules by exploring the motivations, meaning-making processes, and social logics that guide behavior. Using qualitative interviews and open-ended questionnaires, the research analyzes how identity, perceived fairness, and group norms shape decisions to deviate, revealing deeper psychological and situational influences on rule-breaking.