Psychophysiological Effects of Ritualization: Evidence from the Lab and the Field
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
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| Description | We will present our studies investigating the effects of ritualization on anxiety. Since the time of Malinowski (1948), anthropologists have argued that rituals may function to reduce anxiety. Our previous work showed that inducing anxiety resulted in more ritualized behavior manifested in repetitive hand movements. Yet, the way in which ritualized behaviours might allay anxiety across individuals and social contexts remains unknown. Previous studies used correlational designs that involved second-hand accounts or experimental designs that relied on self-reports. Moreover, no study has looked at the effects of real-life rituals on anxiety. We will present two studies that were conducted in Mauritius to investigate these effects in quantifiable ways. |
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