What is characterized as internalisation in social influence?

Internalisation in social influence refers to the process by which an individual adopts the beliefs or behaviors of a group because they find them consistent with their own personal values and beliefs. This means that the change is not simply outward or superficial; rather, it is a deep change in attitude that reflects genuine agreement with the group's perspective.

When a person internalizes a belief, it becomes part of their own value system, influencing both their public behaviors and private beliefs. This is distinct from other forms of social influence, such as conformity driven by social pressure, which may not involve true agreement or alignment with personal values. In internalisation, the adoption of beliefs or behaviors is based on personal conviction rather than mere conformity to social norms or group pressures. Therefore, adopting beliefs because they align with personal values encapsulates the essence of internalisation accurately.