Extortion, coercion and blackmail are concepts that are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but in the legal and psychological field, each of these terms has different connotations and elements. It is important to understand the differences between them in order to identify and address each situation appropriately.
Extortion
Extortion is a crime in where a person uses intimidation, threat, or force to obtain something of value from another person. This act usually involves the demand for money, material goods or services in exchange for not carrying out a harmful action. Extortion involves a coercive and threatening component, with the intention of causing fear or harm to the victim if they do not comply with the extortioner's demands.
From a psychological point of view, extortion can have an impact significant in the victim, generating feelings of fear, anxiety, helplessness and guilt. The extorted person may experience considerable emotional stress, as well as problems in their interpersonal relationships and general well-being.
Types of extortion
There are different forms of extortion, which can range from direct threats of physical violence to emotional or manipulative blackmail. Some common examples of extortion include virtual kidnapping, sexual blackmail, telephone extortion, and cyberstalking.
Coercion
Unlike extortion, coercion involves the use of force. force or pressure to force someone to do something against their will. Coercion can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from verbal or physical threats to the use of psychological or emotional manipulation to obtain compliance with certain demands.
In the psychological context, coercion can generate feelings of distress, hopelessness and vulnerability in the affected person. The feeling of being controlled or manipulated can undermine the victim's self-esteem and autonomy, which can have long-term repercussions on their emotional and mental well-being.
Characteristics of coercion
Coercion is characterized by the lack of genuine consent on the part of the person who is forced to act in a certain way. In many cases, coercion is based on the use of force, emotional manipulation or exploitation of the victim's vulnerability to achieve their objectives.
Blackmail
Blackmail involves the emotional or psychological manipulation of someone to obtain some personal or material benefit. Unlike extortion, blackmail generally does not involve direct threats or physical coercion, but rather relies on manipulating the victim's emotions, trust, or information to achieve its goals.
From a perspective From a psychological perspective, blackmail can have a devastating impact on the affected person's self-esteem, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships. The feeling of being manipulated or exploited can generate feelings of guilt, shame and anxiety, negatively affecting the mental and emotional health of the victim.
Forms of blackmail
Blackmail can take various forms. forms, such as emotional blackmail, financial blackmail, sexual blackmail or blackmail based on confidential information. In all cases, the goal is to obtain some type of benefit or advantage at the expense of the victim, undermining their autonomy and emotional well-being.