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In sociology, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person into an act. It can be used seriously or jokingly, frequently refers to sexual behavior, and may refer to an act that the other may later regret and/or would normally not want to do. Historically, the most famous seducers of all time are Cleopatra, Giacomo Casanova, and Don Juan.
Sexual seduction
Seduction most commonly refers to the use of sexual desire in order to persuade someone to change their behavior to meet the desires of the seducer. It is usually implied that the seducer is acting out of a motive other than love for the seducee, and that the object of the seduction would not ordinarily have engaged in such behavior.
There are many strategies that can be used for seduction, depending on sex, personality and circumstances.
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Many social behavior theorists classify seduction as a specialized form of persuasion. Seduction can also be viewed as a form of power that relies on psychological mastery rather than the use of coercive power, money, or intellectual appeals.
Myths and legends and popular literature have many accounts of sexual seduction, and describe a number of gods of seduction and seduction allegories. From the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden to the Sirens of Ancient Greece described in Homer's Odyssey, to stories of Krishna and Pan, these stories of seduction involve themes of temptation leading to the departure from the prevalent societal norms or of the forbidden sexual desire. |
Certain individuals have used seduction skills to achieve great power or fulfill their desires. Cleopatra VII of Egypt used seduction to help consolidate her empire by charming the two most powerful men of the Roman Empire at the time, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Giacomo Casanova (1725 - 1798) was a famous 18th century seducer, whose name has become synonymous with seduction. The "mad monk" Grigori Rasputin (1869? - 1916) achieved great power in the later days of Romanov Russia through his supposed mystic powers and his sexual influence. Don Juan and James Bond are examples of fictional seducers, The Graduate's infamous Mrs. Robinson being a female counterpart.
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