Coercion vs. Persuasion: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
Coercion involves forcing someone to do something against their will, often through threats or intimidation. Persuasion, on the other hand, involves convincing someone to do something through reasoning or appeal to emotion.
Key Differences
Coercion is a method of making someone do something against their will, generally using force, intimidation, or threats as leverage. In coercion, the individual being coerced has little or no choice in the matter, making it a form of manipulation. Persuasion, on the other hand, is about convincing someone to do something voluntarily, often by appealing to their rationality or emotions.
In terms of power dynamics, coercion typically involves an imbalance of power, where the coercer has significant control or influence over the coerced. The consequences of not complying are often severe and immediate. Persuasion, by contrast, allows for a more equal footing between parties, and the persuader tries to win over the other person using arguments, facts, or emotional appeals, without any form of intimidation.
Coercion is generally considered unethical and could even be illegal depending on the situation, like coercion into signing a contract or coercion to commit a crime. Persuasion, however, is usually seen as an acceptable form of influence as it respects the other person's ability to make a choice. Persuasion can be a positive force when used to encourage beneficial behaviors, such as persuading someone to quit smoking.
In summary, coercion is an act of forcing someone into an action or decision against their will through intimidation or threats, while persuasion is the act of influencing someone’s choice or action through rational argument or emotional appeal.
Comparison Chart
Method
Force/Intimidation
Reasoning/Emotion
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Power Dynamics
Imbalanced
Balanced
Ethical Status
Often Unethical
Generally Ethical
Legal Implications
Can be Illegal
Usually Legal
Voluntariness
Involuntary
Voluntary
Coercion and Persuasion Definitions
Coercion
Forcing someone to act against their will.
The boss used coercion to make employees work overtime.
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Persuasion
Encouraging someone to take a particular action.
His persuasion got people to donate to the charity.
Coercion
Intimidating someone into compliance.
The criminal used coercion to demand money.
Persuasion
Guiding someone to a decision through dialogue.
With gentle persuasion, they agreed to a compromise.
Coercion
Exerting undue pressure to control someone.
The politician used coercion to silence critics.
Persuasion
Winning someone over using facts or logic.
His persuasion was backed up by strong evidence.
Coercion
Threatening someone to get your way.
Coercion was used to obtain the confession.
Persuasion
Convincing someone through rational argument.
His persuasion made me see the logic in his plan.
Coercion
Manipulating someone into doing something they don't want to.
Coercion was used to pressure her into signing the contract.
Persuasion
The act of persuading or the state of being persuaded
"The persuasion of a democracy to big changes is at best a slow process" (Harold J. Laski).
Coercion
The act or practice of coercing.
Persuasion
The ability or power to persuade
"Three foremost aids to persuasion which occur to me are humility, concentration, and gusto" (Marianne Moore).
Coercion
Power or ability to coerce.
Persuasion
A strongly held opinion; a conviction
"He had a strong persuasion that Likeman was wrong" (H.G. Wells).
Coercion
(uncountable) Actual or threatened force for the purpose of compelling action by another person; the act of coercing.
Persuasion
A body of religious beliefs; a religion
Worshipers of various persuasions.
Coercion
Use of physical or moral force to compel a person to do something, or to abstain from doing something, thereby depriving that person of the exercise of free will.
Persuasion
A party, faction, or group holding to a particular set of ideas or beliefs.
Coercion
(countable) A specific instance of coercing.
Persuasion
(Informal) Kind; sort
"the place where ... rockers of any gender or persuasion can become megastars" (Christopher John Farley).
Coercion
Conversion of a value of one data type to a value of another data type.
Persuasion
The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc.
Coercion
The process by which the meaning of a word or other linguistic element is reinterpreted to match the grammatical context.
Persuasion
An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone.
Coercion
The act or process of coercing.
Persuasion
A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief.
It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
Coercion
The application to another of either physical or moral force. When the force is physical, and cannot be resisted, then the act produced by it is a nullity, so far as concerns the party coerced. When the force is moral, then the act, though voidable, is imputable to the party doing it, unless he be so paralyzed by terror as to act convulsively. At the same time coercion is not negatived by the fact of submission under force. "Coactus volui" (I consented under compulsion) is the condition of mind which, when there is volition forced by coercion, annuls the result of such coercion.
Persuasion
One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.
Coercion
The act of compelling by force of authority
Persuasion
A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology.
Coercion
Using force to cause something;
Though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game
They didn`t have to use coercion
Persuasion
Another personal, animal or inanimate trait that is not (very) liable to be changed by persuasion, such as sex, gender, ethnicity, origin, profession or nature.
Persuasion
The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.
For thou hast all the arts of fine persuasion.
Persuasion
The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion or conviction, which has been induced.
If the general persuasion of all men does so account it.
My firm persuasion is, at least sometimes,That Heaven will weigh man's virtues and his crimesWith nice attention.
Persuasion
A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion; all persuasions are agreed.
Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.
Persuasion
The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness.
Is 't possible that my deserts to youCan lack persuasion?
Persuasion
That which persuades; a persuasive.
Persuasion
The act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
Persuasion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Persuasion
Inducement to act by argument or reasoning or entreaty
Persuasion
Influencing someone using emotional appeal.
Through persuasion, she encouraged her friend to seek help.
FAQs
What is coercion?
Coercion involves forcing someone to do something against their will, often using threats or intimidation.
What is persuasion?
Persuasion involves convincing someone to do something through reasoning or emotional appeal.
Is coercion ethical?
Coercion is generally considered unethical and may be illegal in some contexts.
Do coercion and persuasion work in all settings?
Coercion is generally frowned upon, while persuasion techniques can vary in effectiveness depending on the context.
What are some examples of persuasion?
Logical arguments, emotional stories, and appeals to ethics are examples of persuasion.
Can coercion be psychological?
Yes, psychological threats or manipulation can be forms of coercion.
Is coercion only physical?
No, coercion can be both physical and psychological.
Do coercion and persuasion have legal implications?
Coercion can be illegal, while persuasion is usually legal unless it involves fraud or deception.
Can persuasion turn into coercion?
Yes, if persuasion involves intimidation or threats, it can become coercion.
Is persuasion ethical?
Persuasion is generally considered ethical as it respects the individual's ability to choose.
Is persuasion always verbal?
No, persuasion can be non-verbal, such as through body language or visual cues.
Is persuasion always conscious?
Not necessarily; people can be unconsciously persuaded by social norms or implicit cues.
Is coercion always obvious?
Not always; coercion can be subtle or disguised as persuasion.
Which is more effective: coercion or persuasion?
Effectiveness depends on the goal, but persuasion is often more sustainable as it respects free will.
What are some examples of coercion?
Blackmail, threats, and physical force are examples of coercion.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
