Previous research suggests that personality differences exist between research volunteers and nonvolunteers. In a sample of 61 community college and university students, we measured the relationship between scores on the NEO-PI and perception of coercion in five scenarios depicting recruitment opportunities. Results indicated that there were no significant correlations between personality and the total coercion score. A within subjects ANOVA was conducted indicated significant differences in rating of coercion across the five scenarios, while the main effect of the rating type and interaction of the scenario and rating type were not significant. Studying the perception of coercion may be helpful in developing and applying ethical codes.