Discuss what motivates nonconformist behavior. Please include an example.

          To understand nonconformist behavior, an understanding of conformist behavior is necessary. In the context of obedience which, is a form of conformity; which, is whenever an individual or individuals follow the rules or orders that are given to them (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Conformist behavior is behavior that aligns with following given rules or orders. Therefore, nonconformist behavior is behavior that does not align with following given rules or orders. An individual or individuals who display nonconformist behavior disregard the rules and orders given to them. Many factors can motivate nonconformist behavior and I believe social influence is one of the key factors that motivate such behavior. Shiraev and Levy (2010), "social influence in the context of psychology stands for efforts on the part of one person to alter the behavior or attitudes of one or more people" (p. 289). Therefore, the leader of a group or of a group of friends can alter conformist behavior of the individual of the particular group into nonconformist behavior. For example, if a leader of a group believes that a particular rule or order did not need to be followed, such as not smoking cigarettes in school, he or she will alter the behavior of the group he or she leads to display nonconformist behavior by smoking in school.

Reference

Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed). Boston: Pearson/Allyn Bacon.