What is the term for influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval?

The correct term for the influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval is normative social influence. This concept refers to the impact that the expectations and behaviors of others can have on an individual's choices and attitudes, often leading someone to conform to group norms to be accepted or liked by the group.

For example, individuals might agree with a group's opinions or engage in behaviors that they personally do not support simply to fit in or avoid being criticized. This illustrates how social dynamics can drive conformity, emphasizing the role of social acceptance in guiding behavior.

Other concepts listed serve different purposes in social contexts. Informational social influence occurs when individuals conform because they believe others possess more accurate information, leading them to adopt those beliefs. Social facilitation relates to the improved performance in the presence of others, and group polarization describes the tendency for group members to adopt more extreme positions after group discussions. Each of these terms captures unique facets of social interaction but does not directly relate to the desire for approval or avoidance of disapproval as normative social influence does.