We’re social animals. This means that most often, we find it advantageous to work cooperatively within groups to achieve goals. We’re willing to make some sacrifices of individual control because playing by the groups rules and respecting the hierarchy tends to make the group function more efficiently, and that moves everyone toward the goal.
But there are times when the goal of the individual (or a sub-group) diverges so radically from that of the group that the individual can’t see a way of achieving that goal in the context of the group. A decision has to be made: does the importance of the individual outweigh the advantages afforded by being in the group? Is there a reasonable chance of bringing the group’s goal into line with your goal? The decision may be that the interests of the individual and the group are irreconcilable, and that the individual’s goals are too important to compromise. In that case, rebellion may be the best option.
This can play out on a grand and noble scale, as in uprising against tyranny, but it can also have common and petty currents. The individual’s goal may simply be to garner attention, and he may not have the wherewithal to accomplish that by distinguishing himself within the group. He may judge that the only way to draw attention to himself is to rebel.