The intragroup level

Abstract

What motivates a moral rebel? Why do whistleblowers risk it all for their cause? In this chapter, we take a deep dive into the morally motivated reasons why individuals defy group pressures to conform and engage in intragroup dissent. Contrary to early social psychology narratives around the sheep- like nature of group members, there is considerable evidence that individuals will consciously deviate from group norms for moral reasons. For instance, rebels might risk group punishment and expulsion to stay true to their personal moral convictions or highly identified group members might be driven to challenge the status quo because they feel that is the right thing to do. We also discuss the varied ways in which groups respond to moral rebellion, including when rebels are more (e.g., they threaten a group's identity) or less (e.g., when they raise the moral image of the group) likely to be punished for their 'transgressions'. • People's moral self- views are impacted by intragroup dissent on the morality of group norms. • Group members who consciously and deliberately deviate from group norms for moral reasons are 'moral rebels'. • Group members can become moral rebels because of personal reasons such as their moral concerns, or because of group- related reasons such as their position in the group • Moral rebellion is likely to be punished by the group when it seems to threaten the group's identity. • Moral rebellion can be welcomed when it liberates other group members, raises the moral image of the group, or contributes to group success. Show more