Final answer:
Personal power is obtained through knowledge, attractiveness, or effort, distinct from traditional or rational-legal authority, and is similar to charismatic authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personal power is the best definition for power obtained through knowledge, personal attractiveness, or demonstration of effort. Personal power is the ability to influence others based on personal qualities and skills. It is not dependent on any formal authority or position. For example, a charismatic public speaker who can persuade others with their words possesses personal power.
Power that is based on knowledge, personal attractiveness, or effort is best categorized as personal power. This concept aligns with the idea of charismatic authority, where power is legitimized on the basis of a leader's exceptional personal qualities rather than through formal structures or established regulations. Adherence to traditional authority is based on long-standing customs, while rational-legal authority is power legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws.
The distinction between power and authority is critical in sociology and political science. Power is the broad ability to get others to do what one wants, while authority is power that people accept because it comes from a perceived legitimate source.