New York State Private Investigator Practice Exam

What does coercion involve?

1. Inducing a person to act against their will through threats

2. Offering an incentive to accomplish a task

3. Encouraging someone to engage in a lawful activity

4. Forcing someone to witness a crime

The correct answer is: Inducing a person to act against their will through threats

Coercion is defined as the practice of persuading someone to do something by using threats or force. The correct choice accurately reflects this concept by highlighting that coercion involves inducing an individual to act contrary to their wishes or preferences through the use of intimidation or threats. This definition encapsulates the essence of coercion, which operates on the principle that a person's voluntary decision-making ability is compromised due to fear or duress. The other options present scenarios that do not exemplify coercion. Offering an incentive is related to motivation and voluntary engagement rather than force, and encouraging lawful activities does not involve any element of pressure or threat. Meanwhile, forcing someone to witness a crime may imply an act of aggression but does not specifically embody the broader definition of coercion, which centers primarily on the involuntary nature of the action as a result of threats.