Bad apple effect: study shows how people are influenced by rule-breaking of others
Research shows how seeing bigger violations by others can lead people to increase their own rule-breaking From politicians taking bribes to bullying and harassment in City firms , leaders have been quick to label those who break the rules as the odd “bad apple”. But new research backs up the idiom that one bad apple can spoil the barrel. Researchers have found that when people go beyond the rule-breaking they see in others, general compliance can swiftly turn into widespread rule-breaking. Conti
Research shows how seeing bigger violations by others can lead people to increase their own rule-breaking
From politicians taking bribes to bullying and harassment in City firms, leaders have been quick to label those who break the rules as the odd “bad apple”. But new research backs up the idiom that one bad apple can spoil the barrel.
Researchers have found that when people go beyond the rule-breaking they see in others, general compliance can swiftly turn into widespread rule-breaking.
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About this article
- Length
- 83 words · 1 min read
- Published
- October 20, 2026
- Byline
- Nicola Davis Science correspondent
- Source
- The Guardian