Investigating the motivations underlying harmful social behaviors and the motivational nature of social norms

The present research applies a self‐determination theory framework to capture the broad spectrum of reasons why individuals engage in harmful normative behaviors. This correlational study (N = 242) focused on harmful behaviors that were either supported by one's in‐group or not. Participants whose in‐group encourages them to engage in a harmful behavior reported stronger motivation, both self‐determined and non‐self‐determined. Perceiving strong in‐group norms in favor of these behaviors was associated positively with the non‐self‐determined motivation pertaining to introjected regulation. The more participants agreed with an in‐group norm in favor of a harmful behavior, the stronger their self‐determination for engaging in this behavior. Results are discussed in light of self‐determination theory, normative models of social influence, and intergroup theories.