Final answer:
The ability to influence others by punishing or withholding positive outcomes is known as coercive power. It is a form of rational-legal authority legitimized through established rules and laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capability to punish or withhold positive outcomes as a way of influencing the behavior of other people is called coercive power. Coercive power is based on the threat of sanctions or punishment to influence others. This form of power is distinct from persuasive power, which relies on the ability to convince or build consensus without formal means of enforcement. Sociologists like Max Weber have explored different bases of power, including rational-legal authority, which is legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws, and traditional authority, which is based on long-standing customs. Coercive power can be considered a form of rational-legal authority when it is exerted within the boundaries of established laws and regulations.