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The functions of ritual in social groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2016

Rachel E. Watson-Jones  and
Cristine H. Legare
Rachel E. Watson-Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712. [email protected]@austin.utexas.eduhttp://www.rachelwatsonjones.comhttp://www.cristinelegare.com
Cristine H. Legare
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712. [email protected]@austin.utexas.eduhttp://www.rachelwatsonjones.comhttp://www.cristinelegare.com
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Abstract

Ritual cognition builds upon social learning biases that may have become specialized for affiliation within social groups. The adaptive problems of group living required a means of identifying group members, ensuring commitment to the group, facilitating cooperation, and maintaining group cohesion. We discuss how ritual serves these social functions.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 39 , 2016 , e26
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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