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Seduction

(Redirected fromSeduce)
Not to be confused withSubduction.
For other uses, seeSeduction (disambiguation).For the painting by Magritte, seeThe Seducer.
"Seduced" redirects here. For the documentary, seeSeduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.

Insexuality,seductionmeans enticing someone else intosexual intercourseorother sexual activity.Strategies of seduction includeconversationandsexual scripts,[1]paralingual features,[2]non-verbal communication,[3][4]and short-term behavioural strategies.[5]

Don JuaninMozart'soperaDon Giovanni,a painting byMax Slevogt

The wordseductionstems from Latin and means, literally, 'leading astray'.[6]As a result, the term may have a negativeconnotation.Seen negatively, seduction involvestemptationandenticement,often sexual in nature, to coerce someone into a behavioural choice they would not have made if they were not in a state ofsexual arousal.Seen positively, seduction is synonymous for the act of charming someone—male or female—by an appeal to the senses, often with the goal of reducing unfoundedfearsand leading to "sexual emancipation".Some sides in contemporary academic debate state that themoralityof seduction depends on the long-term impacts on the individuals concerned, rather than the act itself, and may not necessarily carry the negative connotations expressed in dictionary definitions.[7]

Famous seducers from history or legend includeLilith,Giacomo Casanova,and the fictional characterDon Juan.The emergence of the internet and technology has supported the availability and the existence of aseduction community,which is based on discourse about seduction. This is predominantly by "pickup artists"(PUA). Seduction is also used withinmarketingto increase compliance and willingness.[8]

History

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The Proposition(1872),William-Adolphe Bouguereau(1825–1905)

Seduction is a popular motif in history and fiction, both as a warning of the social consequences of engaging in the behaviour or becoming its victim, and as a salute to a powerful skill.[9]In the Bible,Eveoffers theforbidden fruittoAdam.Eve herself was verbally seduced by the serpent, believed in Christianity to beSatan;later, Chapter 7 of Proverbs warns of the pitfalls of seduction.SirensofGreek mythologylured sailors to their death by singing them to shipwreck;Cleopatrabeguiled bothJulius CaesarandMarc Antony,Dionysuswas the Greek god of seduction and wine. Famous male seducers, their names synonymous with sexual allure, range fromGenjitoJohn Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester[10]andJames Bond.

In biblical times, because unmarried females who lost theirvirginityhad also lost much of their value asmarriageprospects, theOld TestamentBook of Exodusspecifies that the seducer must marry his victim or pay her father to compensate him for his loss of the marriage price: "And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins."

TheBook of Judgesin the Old Testament describesDelilahseducingSamsonwho was given great strength by God, but ultimately lost his strength when she allowed the Philistines to shave his hair off during his slumber.[11]

Delilah cuttingSamson's hair,c. 1460

Use in sexual relationships

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Males and females both implement the strategy of seduction as a method of negotiating theirsexual relationships.[12]This can often involvemanipulationof other individuals. This is primarily based ondesire,normally physical, as well as attraction towards them. Popular phrases often used include; 'the language ofloveis universal'.[13]These phrases help to demonstrate the extensively pervasive and ubiquitous strategy use withinloveand relationships amongst humans. Individuals employing such strategies often do so subconsciously and will merely report the feelings and thoughts that they subjectively experienced and are colloquially comparable to 'attraction'[14]or 'love'.[15]

Research has indicated that seduction could substitute or equate to a form of collapsed or condensedcourtship.[5]Evolutionary psychologysuggests that this form of sexual enticement can be used in order to cajole desired individuals to engage insexual intercourseand ultimately reproduce. This behaviour is also aimed at persuading someone to develop a short-term or long-term sexual relationship with them. Males declare that they adopt the strategy of seduction statistically more frequently than females.[12]From an evolutionary perspective, this has been linked with females' higherparental investmentand the lack of guarantee of male parental investment,[16]although evolutionary science cannot draw a causal relationship between the two factors. Females therefore need to be seduced more prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. Men more commonly wish to engage in more frequent short-termmating,[17]which may require this strategy of seduction used to access the female for intercourse. However, this finding has been contradicted by non-verbal seduction results which indicate that females have more control within this area.[13]Other potential strategies individuals employ to gain access to a mate includecourtingor having relatives select mates forsocioeconomicreasons.[13]Ultimately, both males and females have reported preferring seduction above all other strategies, such as the use of power oraggression,for making a potential partner agree to sexual intercourse.[12][13]

Strategies

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Human mate poaching

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Seduction is related tohuman mate poaching.[18]Human mate poaching refers to when either a male or female purposefully entices another individual who is already in an established relationship into sexual relations with them. This is akin to the definition of seduction in the introduction. This is apsychological mechanismwhich had unconscious and conscious manifestations, that in relation to evolutionary psychology has beenadaptiveto our ancestors in the past and has continued to be functional in modern society.[18]

Human mate poaching is a form of seduction, and can be used as a short-term and long-termmating strategyamong both sexes. Moreover, there are associated costs and benefits to poaching. Schmitt and Buss (2001)[18]investigated the potential costs and benefits across sexes in relation to human mate poaching. Costs for engaging in poaching behaviours include unwanted pregnancy, transmitted infection and diseases, and insecurity about provisions (shelter, food, and financial security) and/or resource depletion, violence and aggression from the current partner, who takes part inhuman mate guardingbehaviours (behaviours used to protect their mate from other potential males or females). However, the associated benefits include emotional support that may not be received from a current partner, and access to 'goodgenes', such asfacial symmetry.[19]The associated benefits also include increased sexual variety, access tophysically attractivemates, and non-committal copulations.

Evolutionarily speaking, we are descended from our reproductively-successful ancestors who managed to solve the adaptive problem of finding a mate with the required characteristics needed at that time in their lives, e.g., plenty of resources, physical attractiveness, and showing signs of honest fertility. Therefore, our ancestors would have deployed this tactic (for enticing a suitable mate), which remains in our psychology. Some evolved poaching behaviours may not be suitable for current environmental problems. Leftover by-products from human evolution, such as preferences for fat and sugar,[20]are not adaptive in western cultures at present, and thus similar poaching behaviours could still remain.

Short term

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In males

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Short-term strategies involved in seduction are associated with thedark triad,[21]however predominantly in males. Short-term strategies are those used by an individual to obtain a mate for a short term sexual encounter.[22]

The Dark Triad, proposed by Paulhus and Williams (2002)

Thedark triadis made up of three personality traits,psychopathy,narcissismandMachiavellianismand was proposed byPaulhusand Williams (2002).[22]The three traits are exploitative in nature and are used forsexually coercive behaviours,useful in the seduction process. Typically these three traits are deemed maladaptive for the individual and society. Nevertheless, these traits have been found to be adaptive in an exploitative strategy in short term mating.[23]Dark triad traits are adaptive for an unrestrictedsociosexualityandpromiscuousbehaviours.[22]The three traits are associated withimpulsivity,manipulative behaviours and lack ofempathy.These personality traits would be useful in seducing a partner for a short term encounter.[23]From an evolutionary perspective, these would have been particularly beneficial to our ancestral males who wanted to increase theirreproductive success,through seducing many women and therefore increasing their chance of passing on their genes. These particular traits may be used as a tactic for increasing success in mating.

The dark triad traits are seen more in males where the parental investment is lower. Having numerous copulations with many women increases the likelihood their genes will be passed on. Comparatively, a woman has to invest time and a lot of energy in carrying an infant and looking after him/her for many years subsequently.

In females

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The triad of traits ancestrally would not have been adaptive for women, because females were and still are less likely or less willing to engage incasual sex,[24][25]because of the lack of certainty of resources to provide for her and her offspring.

Additionally, there are other potential considerations of the implication of short-term strategies. Males cannot employ such strategies without there being willing females to engage in sexual intercourse within a short-term relationship with them. Therefore, benefits from engaging in multiple short-term mating must also exist for females. These matings enable females to practice and enhance their skills, specifically within attraction and seduction.[26]This often occurs duringextra-pair matingwhen females have sexual intercourse with males other than their husband.[26]There are potential benefits for females to engage in these matings, including the ability to acquire more resources. For example, females are better able to access meats, goods or services in exchange for sexual intercourse or if she were to give birth to a child whose father has better genes than her husband.[27]Females use these short-term matings to hone their mating and seduction skills and increase their protection. This is because males often provide increased protection against other males exploitation or from non-humans for the females they mate with and their offspring.[28]However, this willingness to make the first move towards seduction and engage in a sexual relationship may be subtle.[29]For example, females may simply stand close to their target.[30]

Improving attraction and seduction skills can also help a female with acquiring a better or more desirable male according to the 'Mate Switching Hypothesis'.[26]This is because, females are able to assess their potential mate before committing to a long-term relationship.[17]Alternatively, according to this hypothesis females are also able to get rid of an unwanted husband through mate expulsion using short-term strategies, such as by seducing another man into a short-term sexual relationship.[27]Females may also be more equipped at deterring male partners from futureinfidelity,demonstrated by the 'Mate Manipulation Hypothesis'.[26]This hypothesis suggests that females are able to use revenge to deter futureinfidelity.This can be achieved by a female partaking in a short-term affair, incorporating the use of seduction, with another male as a revenge tactic for her husband's previous affair, which aims to increase commitment of her intended long-term mate.[27][31]These hypotheses indicate the benefits for females of developing and expanding on their seduction skills within sexual relationships.

Long term

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'Strategies are defined as evolved solutions to adaptive problems'.[32]Men and women differ in the adaptive problems that they face, and therefore deploy different strategies. Women strongly desire the resources and commitment that comes with paternal parental investment and therefore impose a longer period of time for courtship and use of seduction prior to engaging in a long-term sexual relationship. Women also spend time seeking and seducing men that are willing to invest and commit in the long run.[33]It is likely that exploitative strategies will not be used when seducing a long-term partner.[22]The traits associated within the dark triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) are not useful for long term mating strategies because they are negatively correlated withagreeableness,empathy and reciprocation, which are traits promoting a healthy relationship.[23]

Biosocial theory

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Kenrick and Trost (1987)[4]have formulated a Biosocial theory of heterosexual relationships which encompasses several stages of seduction. This includes five stages of natural progression:

  1. Individuals identify a potential partner based on desired characteristics such as physical attraction
  2. Both individuals establish contact
  3. Other traits of the individual that are not necessarily explicit are analysed to determine fitness
  4. A physicalrelationshipis established
  5. The relationship is either successful and progresses or discontinued

Within these stages, both individuals are interacting in a game which is never explicit, this is because if either individual were to be rejected this would damage theirself-esteem.Therefore, when seducing, the overarching aims and goals are never vocalised to the other desired individual. This is sometimes referred to as paradoxical exhibition.[4]

The main goal of seduction whether it is active underconsciousorunconsciousmechanisms is to impress the desired partner and display positive characteristics that are likely to be attractive, and to repress undesirable characteristics.[4]

Non-verbal communication

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Within the interactive seduction game, non-verbal communication is a prominent feature in accessing the desirable potential mate. The purpose of this communication is to reduce the interpersonal distance between the desired individuals.

Physiological features such aspupil dilation[34]are a salient cue, expressing attraction. Leading on from this, eye contact is a very notable sign of attraction. Although there are cross cultural differences in whether eye contact is used or not, in Western cultures, the duration of eye contact and the exchange between two individuals is important in the first stages of the biosocial model. Another non-verbal cue in the process of seduction are facial expressions.Smilingis considered another prominent feature in seduction,[3]as it signifies willingness to engage in a social interaction, and in the case of seduction, to participate in creating an intimate bond. These non-verbal behaviours become synchronised between the two individuals which can then lead to the last two stages of the biosocial model.

Paralingual features

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Paralingualfeatures are those associated with the voice, such aspitch,toneandrhythm.[2]These features of verbal communication change in different stages of the seduction process. Studies have shown that when initiating an interaction with a female, the seductive characteristics of the voice will begin with slightly higher pitch and increasedarticulationin the first meeting. However, whilst seducing, the paralanguage will alter gradually. His voice will eventually become softer with lower pitch and modulated voice. These characteristics of the voice are akin to those adults use when speaking to children, ininfant directed speech.This is vocal exhibition, which has been found mostly in males. The aim of modulating the voice is to attract the desired female and become intimate.[2]

Contemporary law

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Main article:Seduction (tort)

English common lawdefined the crime of seduction as a felony committed "when a male person induced an unmarried female of previously chaste character to engage in an act of sexual intercourse on a promise of marriage." A father had the right to maintain an action for the seduction of his daughter (or the enticement of a son who left home), since this deprived him of services or earnings.[35]

In more modern times,Frank Sinatrawas charged in New Jersey in 1938 with seduction, having enticed a woman "of good repute to engage in sexual intercourse with him upon his promise of marriage. The charges were dropped when it was discovered that the woman was already married."[36]

Seduction is also associated withorganized crime,particularly with theItalian-American Mafia,Russian mafia,Polish mob,and to a lesser extent, theIrish mobandJewish mob.They often use attractive women from their gang in order to bribe, get money from, or damage the careers of malepoliticians,police officers,orgovernment agents,as well as members of thegeneral public.

See also

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References

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  1. ^Littleton, H. L. & Axsom, D. (2003). "Rape and seduction scripts of university students: Implications for rape attributions and unacknowledged rape".Sex Roles.49(9–10): 465–475.doi:10.1023/A:1025824505185.S2CID146523271.
  2. ^abcKenrick, D. T.; Groth, G. E.; Trost, M. R. & Sadalla, E. K. (1993). "Integrating evolutionary and social exchange perspectives on relationships: Effects of gender, self-appraisal, and involvement level on mate selection criteria".Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.64(6): 951–969.doi:10.1037/0022-3514.64.6.951.
  3. ^abAndersen, P. A. (1985). "Nonverbal immediacy in interpersonal communication".Multichannel Integrations of Nonverbal Behavior:1–36.
  4. ^abcdKelley. K (1986).Males, Females and Sexuality. Theories and Research.New York: State Univ of New York Pr. p. 69.ISBN978-0887063091.
  5. ^abGivens, D. B. (1978). "The nonverbal basis of attraction: Flirtation, courtship, and seduction".Psychiatry.41(4): 346–359.doi:10.1080/00332747.1978.11023994.PMID715095.
  6. ^Glare, P. G. (1982).Oxford Latin dictionary.Clarendon Press. Oxford University Press.
  7. ^Abbey, A. (1982). "Sex differences in attributions for friendly behavior: Do males misperceive females' friendliness?".Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.42(5): 830–838.doi:10.1037/0022-3514.42.5.830.
  8. ^Deighton, J. & Grayson, K. (1995). "Marketing and seduction: Building exchange relationships by managing social consensus".Journal of Consumer Research.21(4): 660–676.doi:10.1086/209426.
  9. ^Harmsel, H. T. (1961).The Villain-Hero in Pamela and Pride and Prejudice.College English. pp. 23(2), 104–108.
  10. ^Johnson, J.W. (2004).A Profane Wit: The Life of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester.University of Rochester Press. p. 398.ISBN978-1-58046-170-2.Retrieved2023-06-18.
  11. ^"Judges 16 – English Standard Version".Bible Gateway.Archivedfrom the original on 18 July 2017.Retrieved24 April2018.
  12. ^abcMcCormick, N. B. & Jesser, C. J. (1983). "The courtship game: Power in the sexual encounter. Changing boundaries".Changing Boundaries: Gender Roles and Sexual Behavior.
  13. ^abcdGrammer, K (1989). "Human courtship behaviour: Biological basis and cognitive processing".The Sociobiology of Sexual and Reproductive Strategies:147–169.
  14. ^Lamm, H. & Wiesmann, U. (1997)."Subjective attributes of attraction: How people characterize their liking, their love, and their being in love".Personal Relationships.4(3): 271–284.doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.1997.tb00145.x.
  15. ^Marston, P. J.; Hecht, M. L. & Robers, T. (1987). "True love ways': The subjective experience and communication of romantic love".Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.4(4): 387–407.doi:10.1177/0265407587044001.S2CID145339458.
  16. ^Robert, T. (1972).Parental investment and sexual selection. Sexual Selection & the Descent of Man.New York: Aldine de Gruyter. pp. 136–179.
  17. ^abBuss, D.M. & Schmitt, D.P. (1993). "Sexual Strategies Theory: an evolutionary perspective on human mating".Psychological Review.100(2): 204–232.doi:10.1037/0033-295x.100.2.204.PMID8483982.
  18. ^abcSchmitt, D. P. & Buss, D. M. (2001). "Human Mate Poaching: Tactics and temptations for infiltrating existing mateships".Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.80(6): 894–917.doi:10.1037/0022-3514.80.6.894.PMID11414373.
  19. ^Scheib, J. E.; Gangestad, S. W. & Thornhill, R. (1999)."Facial attractiveness, symmetry and cues of good genes. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B".Biological Sciences.266(1431): 1913–1917.doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0866.PMC1690211.PMID10535106.
  20. ^Eaton, S. B.; Strassman, B. I.; Nesse, R. M.; Neel, J. V.; Ewald, P. W.; Williams, G. C.,... & Mysterud, I. (2002). "Evolutionary health promotion".Preventive Medicine.34(2): 109–118.doi:10.1006/pmed.2001.0876.PMID11817903.S2CID18948871.{{cite journal}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^Paulhus, D. L. & Williams, K. M. (2002). "The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy".Journal of Research in Personality.36(6): 556–563.doi:10.1016/s0092-6566(02)00505-6.S2CID6535576.
  22. ^abcdJonason, P. K.; Li, N. P.; Webster, G. D. & Schmitt, D. P. (2009). "The dark triad: Facilitating a short-term mating strategy in men".European Journal of Personality.23(1): 5–18.CiteSeerX10.1.1.650.5749.doi:10.1002/per.698.S2CID12854051.
  23. ^abcJonason, P. K.; Valentine, K. A.; Li, N. P. & Harbeson, C. L. (2011). "Mate-selection and the Dark Triad: Facilitating a short-term mating strategy and creating a volatile environment".Personality and Individual Differences.51(6): 759–763.CiteSeerX10.1.1.648.3614.doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.06.025.S2CID12310143.
  24. ^Herold, E. & Mewhinney, D. (1993). "Gender Differences in Casual Sex and AIDS Prevention: A Survey of Dating Bars".The Journal of Sex Research.30(1): 36–42.doi:10.1080/00224499309551676.
  25. ^Conley, Terri D. (2021). "Perceived proposer personality characteristics and gender differences in acceptance of casual sex offers".Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.100(2): 309–329.doi:10.1037/a0022152.PMID21171789.
  26. ^abcdGreiling, H. & Buss, D. M. (2000). "Women's sexual strategies: The hidden dimension of extra-pair mating".Personality and Individual Differences.28(5): 929–963.doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(99)00151-8.
  27. ^abcSymons, D. (1979).The evolution of human sexuality.New York: Oxford University Press.
  28. ^Smith, R. L. (1984).Human sperm competition. In R. L. Smith, Sperm competition and the evolution of mating systems.New York: Academic Press. pp. 601–659.
  29. ^Grammer, K. (1989). "Human courtship behavior: Biological basis and cognitive processing".The Sociobiology of Sexual and Reproductive Strategies:147–169.
  30. ^Perper, T. & Fox, V. S. (1980). "Flirtation and pickup pattern in bars".In Eastern Conference on Reproductive Behavior, New York.
  31. ^Greiling, H. (1993). Women's short-term sexual strategies. InConference on Evolution and the Social Sciences, London School of Economics, London, England.
  32. ^Buss, D. M. & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). "Sexual strategies theory: an evolutionary perspective on human mating".Psychological Review.100(2): 204–232.doi:10.1037/0033-295x.100.2.204.PMID8483982.
  33. ^Buss, D. M. (2003).The evolution of desire: Strategies of human mating(Rev. ed.). New York: Basic Books.
  34. ^Tombs, S. & Silverman, I. (2004). "Pupillometry: A sexual selection approach".Evolution and Human Behavior.25(4): 221–228.doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2004.05.001.
  35. ^Mary Ann Mason: From Father's Property to Children's Rights: A History of Child CustodyArchivedSeptember 1, 2006, at theWayback Machine
  36. ^"Hollywood Behind Bars – Frank Sinatra MugshotArchived2012-09-04 atarchive.today– Women's seductionArchived2016-08-13 at theWayback Machine.Jonhs.com. 2007-02-01. Retrieved 2012-05-22.

Further reading

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