Which term refers to the lowest level of conformity for a short duration?

The correct answer, which refers to the lowest level of conformity for a short duration, is compliance. Compliance occurs when an individual agrees with a group or follows a directive but does so primarily to gain approval or avoid disapproval, rather than due to a genuine change in their beliefs or attitudes. This form of conformity is contextually temporary, as the individual may revert to their original beliefs once the pressure or social context is removed.

Understanding compliance is crucial in social psychology, as it highlights the influence of social norms and peer pressure on behavior. Unlike internalisation, where an individual adopts the beliefs of a group as their own over a longer-term basis, or identification, which involves a deeper connection where one identifies with a group and adopts its behaviors and values, compliance remains superficial. It is a reaction to situational demands rather than a heartfelt endorsement of the underlying principles.