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The Ritual Mind

How rituals soothe, excite, unite and divide us.

Rendition of graduation ceremony
Social Life
Why Graduation Ceremonies Are Meaningful

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on May 9, 2024

Rites of passage do not merely celebrate transitions; they create them in the eyes of society. Losing such rites may lead to disillusionment and social disengagement.

Rites of passage do not merely celebrate transitions; they create them in the eyes of society. Losing such rites may lead to disillusionment and social disengagement.

Ceremonial cross of John Frum cargo cult, Tanna island, New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), 1967
Environment
What Cargo Cult Rituals Show Us About Human Nature

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on May 5, 2023

In Melanesia, indigenous communities developed elaborate rituals to bring themselves material wealth. These practices reveal a profoundly important and universal social technology.

In Melanesia, indigenous communities developed elaborate rituals to bring themselves material wealth. These practices reveal a profoundly important and universal social technology.

Friends
What’s the Point of Holiday Gifts?

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on December 19, 2022

Gift exchanges may seem wasteful and impractical. But as social scientific research reveals, the costs and benefits of gift-giving aren’t what they seem.

Gift exchanges may seem wasteful and impractical. But as social scientific research reveals, the costs and benefits of gift-giving aren’t what they seem.

Shamil Shaidullin: "Self-portrait in a broken mirror"
Wisdom
Where Do Superstitions Come From?

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

Although superstitions may have no direct utility, research shows that they can have tangible psychological benefits.

Although superstitions may have no direct utility, research shows that they can have tangible psychological benefits.

Sisyphus
Heuristics
Is Suffering a Virtue?

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on August 27, 2022

People link effort with value and meaning, even when it is unproductive. This is due to mental heuristics that allow us to infer intentions from actions.

People link effort with value and meaning, even when it is unproductive. This is due to mental heuristics that allow us to infer intentions from actions.

Psychology
Why Many Schools Are Demolished After a Mass Shooting

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Why do buildings feel tainted after a mass shooting? Psychological intuitions can help explain our fears and anxieties, and cultural traditions find ways of alleviating them.

Why do buildings feel tainted after a mass shooting? Psychological intuitions can help explain our fears and anxieties, and cultural traditions find ways of alleviating them.

Stress
5 Extraordinary Animal Rituals

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on June 20, 2022

Animal rituals can be truly bizarre. But a closer look reveals that many similar rituals are practiced by humans. They serve the same functions for us as they do for other species.

Animal rituals can be truly bizarre. But a closer look reveals that many similar rituals are practiced by humans. They serve the same functions for us as they do for other species.

Mating
Is Ritual Sexy?

Dimitris Xygalatas Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

The sexy side of ritual: Men who take part in religious rituals are perceived as better mating partners by women, as well as by their parents.

The sexy side of ritual: Men who take part in religious rituals are perceived as better mating partners by women, as well as by their parents.