What best describes compliance in social psychology?

Compliance in social psychology refers to the act of changing one's behavior in response to the requests or demands of others, often to avoid punishment or gain a reward. This phenomenon is characterized by the idea that individuals may adjust their actions to align with the expectations of others when such adjustments do not necessarily reflect their own beliefs or attitudes.

When individuals comply with requests, it is usually for external reasons rather than internal beliefs. For instance, people might agree to follow a rule or directive from an authority figure due to the desire to avoid negative consequences or to earn a positive outcome, such as approval or a tangible reward. This understanding of compliance emphasizes its transactional nature, where the motivation is primarily driven by external factors instead of internal conviction or deeply-held beliefs.

The other options pertain more to intrinsic motivation and personal values, which relate to the concepts of internalization and identification rather than simple compliance. While intrinsic motivation involves acting based on personal satisfaction or interest, compliance is more about adhering to social expectations in response to external pressures.