Seduction

From ArticleWorld

When one person deliberately entices another to perform an act, seduction occurs. At times, this word can have a negative connotation (as far as the seducer appearing aggressive or deceptive, and referring to an act that the other may later regret and may not have otherwise engaged in). Seduction is also used in a religious context, to refer to a temptation to commit a sinful or immoral act.

Traditional seduction

Seduction is used sexually to persuade someone to change his or her behavior to meet the desires of the seducer. Usually, the seducer is not acting out of love, but rather another motive.

Gender, personality and circumstance all influence strategies that are used for seduction. Some people consider it a specialized form of persuasion or a form of power. Other people consider it a psychological mastery. There are many strategies that can be used for seduction, depending on sex, personality and circumstances.

Seduction in history

Sexual seduction has traditionally been a highlighted feature of myths, legend and literature. Eve seduced Adam in the Bible’s Garden of Eden, the Sirens seduced the crew in Homer’s Odyssey and the stories of Krishna and Pan feature tales of temptation of the forbidden and departure from societal norms.

Individuals throughout history have also used seduction to satisfy their desires. Egypt’s Cleopatra VII used seduction on Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The 18th Century artist of seduction Giacomo Casanova’s name is synonymous with seduction.

Seduction today

Robert Cialdini presents a number of social-influence theories of seduction in his book, “Influence: Science and Practice.” Scholars have found a variety of ways to categorize the way people persuade each other.

Seduction has also taken a technological route. E-mail and the Internet, as well as text messaging and cellular phones, enable the seducer to even more aggressively pursue the seduced.