How is an individual tendency to act contravening accepted norms defined?

The term that best defines an individual's tendency to act contrary to accepted norms is dishonesty. Dishonesty encompasses behaviors that involve deception or a lack of integrity, which can manifest in various forms, such as lying, cheating, or breaking trust. This concept is broader than just cheating and directly relates to moral judgments about right and wrong within societal norms.

While cheating can be a specific example of dishonesty, it does not capture the full scope of behaviors that can be considered as contravening accepted norms. Criminal behavior refers to acts that are offenses against the law, which may not cover all aspects of dishonesty, particularly those that occur in personal or business contexts where legal consequences do not apply. Illegal activity specifically pertains to actions that break the law, rather than a violation of ethical standards or social norms alone.

Dishonesty, therefore, effectively encapsulates the idea of going against accepted moral practices, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.