With no consequences, people tended to mimic, or even surpass, deviant behavior

Left unchecked, a small flame can turn into a roaring fire. Groups may follow the same principle, with a few rule breakers triggering widespread chaos.

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Left unchecked, a small flame can turn into a roaring fire. Groups may follow the same principle, with a few rule breakers triggering widespread chaos.

Sean Gladwell/Moment/Getty Images

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On the long drive to my kid’s sporting event this weekend, most drivers, myself included, cruised a few miles over the speed limit. A few drivers, though, blazed past in the left lane.…