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Determinants of Rule-Breaking in Adolescence
Karlijn Hoyer1, Jelle Sijtsema2,3, Christoph Kogler4
1Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Journal of Adolescence
|August 13, 2025
Summary
Adolescent rule-breaking increases with situational ambiguity and peer influence. Interventions should reduce ambiguity and promote positive peer behavior to curb rule-breaking in teens.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for learning societal rules.
- Adolescents frequently exhibit rule-breaking behavior.
- Understanding factors influencing adolescent rule-breaking is crucial for development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how situational ambiguity and social influence affect adolescent rule-breaking.
- To compare the impact of these factors on younger versus older adolescents.
- To explore gender differences in rule-breaking and susceptibility to peer influence.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral experiments with incentivized tasks involving a simulated traffic light rule.
- Participants: younger (11-15) and older (16-19) adolescents.
- Independent variables: situational ambiguity (yellow light) and peer behavior (rule-following vs. rule-breaking).
Main Results:
- Rule-breaking significantly increased with higher situational ambiguity and observing peer rule-breaking.
- Older adolescents broke rules more often than younger adolescents, with greater norm shifts.
- Boys broke rules more, while girls were more sensitive to peer influence.
Conclusions:
- Situational ambiguity and peer influence are key drivers of adolescent rule-breaking.
- Interventions should focus on reducing ambiguity and encouraging positive peer conduct.
- Findings inform strategies for promoting adaptive behavior in adolescents.
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