What term describes a change in behavior due to a demand from an authority figure?

The term that describes a change in behavior due to a demand from an authority figure is obedience. This concept is central in social psychology and refers specifically to following direct orders or requests from someone in a position of power or authority. The classic studies by social psychologists like Stanley Milgram have illustrated how people will often conform to the instructions of an authority figure, even when those instructions may conflict with their personal values or ethics.

In contrast, conformity typically involves changing one's behavior to match the norms or behaviors of a group, not necessarily based on direct orders. Compliance, while it may involve changing behavior in response to a request, does not inherently involve authority; it can occur in everyday interactions among peers. Cooperation refers to working together toward a common goal and does not imply a dynamic of authority or command.