Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Impact of Peer Conformity on Rule-breaking Behaviors among Adolescents in the School

Yuxin WangGolden Apple JinCheng No.1 Secondary School*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Conformity pervasively exists among adolescent groups and frequently induces delinquency. This article, through a literature review, explores the psychological mechanism by which adolescents violate school rules due to peer conformity, and analyzes the correlation between this and social rule-breaking behaviors. Research indicates that conformity influences adolescents' choices through various way. Conformity can be classified to informative and normative conformity, while the inducing factors of them are dependent on situations, including identity conflicts, perceptions of rule legitimacy, peer pressure, and family dynamics. Conformity promotes positive behaviors or contributes to negative behaviors. The study also suggests that school rules, as microcosm of societal norms, significantly influence students' willingness to comply and the direction of conformity, particularly through the perceived rationality and fairness of sanctions. This paper recommends that schools guide conformity toward positive outcomes by enhancing the legitimacy of rules, providing emotional support, implementing positive behavior interventions, and offering continuous feedback. Such approaches can effectively reduce rule-breaking behavior.

Keywords: conformity; delinquency; school rules; peer pressure
Published: November 5, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT29106
Volume: CHR Vol.93
pp. 176-184
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