What does the term 'compliance' refer to in a social psychology context?

In a social psychology context, 'compliance' refers specifically to the act of agreeing to the requests or demands of others, often publicly, even when one's private beliefs may differ. This is an essential aspect of social influence, where individuals might feel pressured to conform to group norms or expectations in social situations.

The concept implies that while someone may verbally or behaviorally align with a group, their internal beliefs may not necessarily reflect that agreement. This distinction between public alignment and private belief is crucial in understanding the dynamics of social interactions and influence, as it highlights the complexities of social behavior and the factors that can drive individuals to conform to group expectations even when they hold different opinions privately.

The other options describe different social psychology concepts. Adapting one's beliefs fully aligns more with internalization or identification, while refusing to change behavior reflects defiance rather than compliance. Silently observing behavior without participation is more indicative of passive behavior rather than compliance.