In studies on conformity, how are compliance and internalisation distinguished?

The distinction between compliance and internalisation is fundamental in understanding how individuals respond to social influence. Compliance refers to the act of going along with a group or agreeing with others, often in public, without necessarily adopting the same beliefs privately. This can happen even when the individual does not personally agree with the group's views or behaviors. It is a superficial form of conformity, where the individual's behavior may change in the presence of a group but does not reflect a change in personal beliefs.

In contrast, internalisation involves a deeper level of conformity where individuals adopt the beliefs or behaviors of a group as their own, resulting in genuine personal belief that lasts over time. This process often occurs when people are persuaded by the values or ideas of the group, leading to a change in both outward behavior and internal conviction.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of these concepts. The notion that compliance leads to permanent behavior while internalisation is temporary misrepresents internalisation, which typically leads to more enduring changes. Additionally, framing internalisation as driven by group pressure while compliance is described as voluntary does not adequately address the psychological processes behind adherence to group norms. Finally, asserting that there is no distinction between the two concepts overlooks their critical differences, which are essential to understanding social