Final answer:
The term that signifies an obligation to perform an assigned activity is 'responsibility'. Unlike authority, which is about having power, responsibility is about being answerable for achieving results or completing tasks in various areas of life, including personal and civic domains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that signifies an obligation to perform an assigned activity is responsibility. Responsibility refers to the duty or obligation to carry out tasks, act upon, and to be accountable for the outcomes. This is typically assigned by management in a workplace or a teacher in a school setting. Managers or teachers set the expectations and it's up to the individual to ensure they meet these expectations. Unlike authority, which is about having the power to give orders, make decisions, and demand obedience, responsibility is about being answerable for completing certain duties or achieving certain results.
Every individual faces different types of responsibilities throughout their life. For instance, there are personal responsibilities, where an individual assumes obligations for themselves and their families based on their life choices. Moreover, there are civic responsibilities which encompass duties each person has towards society and the state, such as obeying the law and voting in elections.