Coercioncompulsion

Coercioncompulsion is a term used in some theoretical and critical discussions to describe the interaction between external coercive forces and internal compulsive urges that drive behavior. In this usage, coercion refers to pressure, threats, sanctions, or authoritative demands imposed by others, while compulsion refers to an internal impulse to perform a behavior, often to reduce distress or prevent feared outcomes.

The term is not widely standardized in peer‑reviewed psychology or sociology, but it appears in analyses of how power dynamics can shape habitual compliance. It may be applied to describe situations in which sustained coercive environments cultivate or reinforce compulsive behaviors, including ritualized or routine actions that individuals feel compelled to perform even if they do not want to.

Mechanisms proposed in discussions of coercioncompulsion include the creation of perceived threats by authorities, internalization of expectations, and the reinforcement of repetitive actions through conditioning and reduced anxiety. Over time, compliance behaviors can become automatic or feel obligatory, blurring the line between voluntary choice and compelled action.

Contexts in which coercioncompulsion is discussed include workplaces with punitive management, total institutions such as certain schools or jails, abusive relationships, and interrogation settings. In mental health discourse, the term is sometimes used to reflect how coercive dynamics affect treatment adherence or symptom management, with implications for consent and autonomy.

Critics note that coercioncompulsion can conflate distinct concepts and that the term lacks a precise, standardized definition. Some argue for using established terms such as coercive control, social pressure, or obsessive-compulsive phenomena to avoid ambiguity. See also coercion, compulsion, compliance, obedience, social control.