Final answer:
A common coercive technique used in the past involved threats of separation and physical punishments such as whippings and punishment gear. Slaveholders utilized psychological pressure alongside these physical methods to maintain control over enslaved people.
Step-by-step explanation:
A formerly common coercive technique that combined psychological pressures with physical force was widely used in the context of slavery. Slaveholders frequently relied on threats of separation to psychologically manipulate enslaved people, while also enforcing discipline through physical punishments. For instance, the most efficient way to control enslaved people was not through direct violence but rather through the threat of selling them, which leveraged the fear of being separated from family and friends. However, when physical force was employed, it often involved the use of the lash. Though whippings were a common form of punishment, they were not always efficient as they could leave the victim incapacitated or dead. To supplement this, slaveholders also used punishment gear such as neck braces, balls and chains, leg irons, and paddles with holes that could cause blood blisters.
Throughout history and in different contexts, coercive tactics have been applied to maintain order and discipline within societies. This approach often results in enduring physical and emotional distress for those subjected to such methods. Living in constant terror of punishment, enslaved individuals experienced tremendous suffering under the coercive systems established by their oppressors.