Which of the following is an example of coercive power?

• A. A correctional officer threatens disciplinary action if inmates don't follow rules.
• B. A supervisor offers extra time off for meeting goals.
• C. An employee ignores a manager because they don't believe the manager has real authority.
• D. Officers follow a leader because they respect and admire them.

Answer: (A)

Coercive power is the ability to influence others through threats or punishment. In this scenario, the correctional officer threatens disciplinary action if inmates don’t follow rules, which shows behavior being controlled by fear of punishment. The other examples illustrate different forms of influence: offering extra time off uses rewards to motivate, not punishment; ignoring a manager signals a lack of acceptance of authority rather than coercion; and following a leader out of respect demonstrates referent or personal power, not coercion. So this example best demonstrates coercive power.