How do individuals who feel obligated to follow rules justify their adherence?

Individuals who feel obligated to follow rules often justify their adherence by recognizing that rules exist for a purpose. This understanding implies that rules have been established to maintain order, ensure safety, promote fairness, or achieve specific outcomes within a society or organization. When individuals acknowledge that rules serve a vital function, they are more likely to see their adherence as necessary, rational, and beneficial rather than as a mere obligation. This perspective fosters a sense of responsibility and commitment, as following these rules contributes to the greater good and the smooth functioning of the community or environment they are part of.

The other perspectives can undermine the rationale for rule adherence. For instance, the idea that rules are subjective may lead to confusion about which guidelines to follow. The notion that rules can be broken at times might encourage a lack of consistency in behavior, while viewing rules as a hindrance to creativity could foster resentment rather than compliance. In contrast, recognizing the purposeful nature of rules reinforces their importance and the reasons individuals choose to abide by them.