What term describes conformity that occurs as individuals agree with the opinion of the majority to gain social approval?

The term that describes conformity which occurs when individuals align their opinions with the majority to gain social approval is known as normative social influence. This concept is rooted in the desire for acceptance within a group, leading individuals to adjust their behavior or beliefs to fit in and be liked by others.

In normative social influence, the primary motivation is social acceptance rather than a genuine change in personal belief. This phenomenon often occurs in social settings where individuals may suppress their true opinions to avoid standing out or being rejected by their peers.

Other concepts like informational social influence, compliance, and obedience have different dynamics. Informational social influence refers to conforming because of the belief that others are correct and provides valuable information, often seen in ambiguous situations. Compliance involves agreeing to a request from an individual or authority figure, which may not involve genuine personal agreement. Obedience is specifically about following orders from an authority figure, which is distinct from the social approval aspect of normative social influence.