The Seduction Script: Psychological and Cultural Normal of Interpersonal Approaches As Markers for Sexual Aggression and Abuse

Landgraf, Steffen and von Treskow, Isabella (2017) The Seduction Script: Psychological and Cultural Normal of Interpersonal Approaches As Markers for Sexual Aggression and Abuse. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 7: 2070. ISSN 1664-1078,

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Abstract

Hardly any subjects enjoy greater - public or private - interest than the art of flirtation and seduction. However, interpersonal approach behavior not only paves the way for sexual interaction and reproduction, but it simultaneously integrates non-sexual psychobiological and cultural standards regarding consensus and social norms. In the present paper, we use script theory, a concept that extends across psychological and cultural science, to assess behavioral options during interpersonal approaches. Specifically, we argue that approaches follow scripted event sequences that entail ambivalence as an essential communicative element. On the one hand, ambivalence may facilitate interpersonal approaches by maintaining and provoking situational uncertainty, so that the outcome of an action - even after several approaches and dates - remains ambiguous. On the other hand, ambivalence may increase the risk for sexual aggression or abuse, depending on the individuals abilities, the circumstances, and the intentions of the interacting partners. Recognizing latent sequences of sexually aggressive behavior, in terms of their rigid structure and behavioral options, may thus enable individuals to use resources efficiently, avoid danger, and extricate themselves from assault situations. We conclude that interdisciplinary script knowledge about ambivalence as a core component of the seduction script may be helpful for counteracting subtly aggressive intentions and preventing sexual abuse. We discuss this with regard to the nature-nurture debate as well as phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspects of interpersonal approach behavior and its medial implementation.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: PERCEPTUAL SYMBOL SYSTEMS; RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE; STRATEGIES THEORY; EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY; DATING SCRIPTS; SHORT-TERM; MEN; PERSPECTIVE; GENDER; WOMEN; script; seduction; interpersonal approach behavior; psychology; cultural science; sexual aggression; sexual abuse; nature-nurture debate
Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 340 Law
600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 14 Dec 2018 13:01
Last Modified: 21 Feb 2019 12:47
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/567

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