Coercion vs. Persuasion: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Coercion and Persuasion Definitions
Coercion
Forcing someone to act against their will.
The boss used coercion to make employees work overtime.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
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Persuasion
Encouraging someone to take a particular action.
His persuasion got people to donate to the charity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Coercion
Intimidating someone into compliance.
The criminal used coercion to demand money.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Persuasion
Guiding someone to a decision through dialogue.
With gentle persuasion, they agreed to a compromise.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023
Coercion
Exerting undue pressure to control someone.
The politician used coercion to silence critics.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Persuasion
Winning someone over using facts or logic.
His persuasion was backed up by strong evidence.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
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Coercion
Threatening someone to get your way.
Coercion was used to obtain the confession.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
Persuasion
Convincing someone through rational argument.
His persuasion made me see the logic in his plan.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
Coercion
Manipulating someone into doing something they don't want to.
Coercion was used to pressure her into signing the contract.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
The ability or power to persuade
"Three foremost aids to persuasion which occur to me are humility, concentration, and gusto" (Marianne Moore).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
A strongly held opinion; a conviction
"He had a strong persuasion that Likeman was wrong" (H.G. Wells).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Coercion
(uncountable) Actual or threatened force for the purpose of compelling action by another person; the act of coercing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
A body of religious beliefs; a religion
Worshipers of various persuasions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
A party, faction, or group holding to a particular set of ideas or beliefs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
(Informal) Kind; sort
"the place where ... rockers of any gender or persuasion can become megastars" (Christopher John Farley).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Coercion
Conversion of a value of one data type to a value of another data type.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Coercion
The process by which the meaning of a word or other linguistic element is reinterpreted to match the grammatical context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief.
It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness.
Is 't possible that my deserts to youCan lack persuasion?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
The act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
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?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2022
Persuasion
Influencing someone using emotional appeal.
Through persuasion, she encouraged her friend to seek help.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
FAQs
What is coercion?
Coercion involves forcing someone to do something against their will, often using threats or intimidation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
What is persuasion?
Persuasion involves convincing someone to do something through reasoning or emotional appeal.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Is coercion ethical?
Coercion is generally considered unethical and may be illegal in some contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Do coercion and persuasion work in all settings?
Coercion is generally frowned upon, while persuasion techniques can vary in effectiveness depending on the context.
Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
What are some examples of persuasion?
Logical arguments, emotional stories, and appeals to ethics are examples of persuasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Can coercion be psychological?
Yes, psychological threats or manipulation can be forms of coercion.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
Is coercion only physical?
No, coercion can be both physical and psychological.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023
Do coercion and persuasion have legal implications?
Coercion can be illegal, while persuasion is usually legal unless it involves fraud or deception.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
Can persuasion turn into coercion?
Yes, if persuasion involves intimidation or threats, it can become coercion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Is persuasion ethical?
Persuasion is generally considered ethical as it respects the individual's ability to choose.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
Is persuasion always verbal?
No, persuasion can be non-verbal, such as through body language or visual cues.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Is persuasion always conscious?
Not necessarily; people can be unconsciously persuaded by social norms or implicit cues.
Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
Is coercion always obvious?
Not always; coercion can be subtle or disguised as persuasion.
Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
Which is more effective: coercion or persuasion?
Effectiveness depends on the goal, but persuasion is often more sustainable as it respects free will.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023
What are some examples of coercion?
Blackmail, threats, and physical force are examples of coercion.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
