What is meant by compliance in social influence?

Compliance in the context of social influence refers to the change in behavior that occurs in response to a request or directive from others, often driven by the desire to gain approval or avoid negative consequences. This means that an individual may outwardly conform to the expectations or demands of a group, not necessarily because they personally believe in or agree with those expectations, but because they want to fit in or avoid disapproval.

For example, a person may act in a certain way to align with the behaviors of their peers, such as dressing a particular way or participating in specific activities, even if they do not privately endorse those behaviors. This response can often be seen in group settings where social norms dictate certain actions, and individuals feel pressured to comply to maintain their social standing or acceptance.

The other options distinguish between varying levels and types of social influence. Public agreement with a group's ideology reflects a deeper level of endorsement than compliance typically entails. Adopting group norms without private agreement suggests a form of conforming behavior more related to social acceptance, but does not specifically highlight the motivation related to approval or punishment. Conforming due to a deeply held belief describes a more permanent alignment with group values or ideologies, which goes beyond the immediate and situational basis of compliance.