idiosyncrasy-credit model
an explanation of the leniency that groups sometimes display when high-status members violate group norms. This model assumes that such individuals, by contributing to the group in significant ways and expressing loyalty to it, build up idiosyncrasy credits, which they “spend” whenever they make errors or deviate from the group’s norms. So long as their actions do not completely deplete their supply of credits, their infractions will not undermine their status in the group. [developed by U.S. psychologist Edwin P. Hollander (1927– )]