Definition: Identification happens when an individual adopts a behavior or belief because they want to establish or maintain a satisfying self-defining relationship with another person or group. The individual conforms to the expectations of a specific social role.
Public vs. Private: Unlike compliance, identification involves both public and private acceptance of the group's norms. However, this acceptance is often tied to the membership of that group or the presence of the role model.
Purpose: The primary motivation is to be 'like' the influencer or to belong to the group. If the individual leaves the group or no longer identifies with the person, the conformed behavior may fade away.
Definition: Internalization occurs when an individual accepts influence because the content of the induced behavior—the ideas and actions themselves—is intrinsically rewarding and consistent with their own value system.
Permanence: This is the most permanent form of conformity. Because the individual has integrated the group's views into their own cognitive framework, the behavior persists even in the absence of the group or any external pressure.
Mechanism: It is often driven by Informational Social Influence, where the individual looks to the group for evidence about reality and concludes that the group's position is genuinely correct.
| Feature | Compliance | Identification | Internalization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Agreement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Private Agreement | No | Yes (while in role) | Yes (permanent) |
| Motivation | Reward/Punishment | Social Relationship | Desire to be Right |
| Depth | Superficial | Intermediate | Deep |
Compliance vs. Internalization: The critical difference lies in the private belief. In compliance, the person is 'faking it' to avoid trouble, whereas in internalization, the person has been 'converted' to the new viewpoint.
Identification vs. Internalization: Identification is dependent on the social bond. If the bond breaks, the behavior might stop. Internalization is independent of the source; the belief is now owned by the individual.
Identify the 'Why': When analyzing a scenario, ask if the person is acting to avoid a negative outcome (Compliance), to be like someone they admire (Identification), or because they truly believe it is the right thing to do (Internalization).
Check for Longevity: If the behavior disappears when the person is alone or the group is gone, it is likely Compliance. If it persists indefinitely, it is Internalization.
Distinguish Motivations: Remember that Normative Social Influence (fitting in) usually leads to Compliance, while Informational Social Influence (seeking truth) usually leads to Internalization.
Common Mistake: Do not assume Identification is the same as Internalization just because both involve private agreement. Identification is 'conditional' agreement based on a relationship, while Internalization is 'unconditional' agreement based on truth.
