Mortal Rituals

Spirituality

Eyes of Faith

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on December 18, 2014

A better understanding of our neighbor’s seemingly inscrutable ways may have to start with the question “why do you see it that way?” not “why do you think that way?”

A better understanding of our neighbor’s seemingly inscrutable ways may have to start with the question “why do you see it that way?” not “why do you think that way?”

Religion

Ritual and Life Satisfaction

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on November 16, 2014

When it comes to living a satisfying, meaningful life, it's ritual participation that matters, not professed belief.

When it comes to living a satisfying, meaningful life, it's ritual participation that matters, not professed belief.

Religion

Religion and Morality

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on October 14, 2014

Less religion may make the world more rational, but not necessarily more virtuous

Less religion may make the world more rational, but not necessarily more virtuous

Suicide

What Makes a Terrorist?

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on September 20, 2014

Rather than blindly obeying, extremists are more likely to be willing collaborators

Rather than blindly obeying, extremists are more likely to be willing collaborators

Child Development

Imitating to Survive

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on August 20, 2014

When it comes to teaching values, it's the useless things we do that are the most important

When it comes to teaching values, it's the useless things we do that are the most important

Play

Let 'Em Play! Using Ritual to Teach Self-Restraint

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on July 24, 2014

In a world where adults are increasingly imposing structure and control on children's play, research is indicating that rough-and-tumble play may be nature's way of teaching self-restraint.

In a world where adults are increasingly imposing structure and control on children's play, research is indicating that rough-and-tumble play may be nature's way of teaching self-restraint.

The earliest interactions between moms and infants are ritualized interactions. Ritual is the means by which we draw infants and children deeper and deeper into the adult social world.

Identity

The Ritually Defined Person

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on May 22, 2014

Meaning may requiring giving up some individual autonomy and letting ritual define (at least some) of our identity

Meaning may requiring giving up some individual autonomy and letting ritual define (at least some) of our identity

Addiction

Cultus Familiae II: The Family Meal

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on April 25, 2014

Family meals are associated with a range of positive outcomes. But do they cause those outcomes?

Family meals are associated with a range of positive outcomes. But do they cause those outcomes?

Identity

Cultus Familiae: The Key to Domestic Harmony?

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on March 22, 2014

Family rituals and routines play a central role in both domestic harmony and children's social and academic success.

Family rituals and routines play a central role in both domestic harmony and children's social and academic success.

Trust

Rituals and Trust

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on February 22, 2014

Rituals can be a bother. But the bother tells others something about our character.

Rituals can be a bother. But the bother tells others something about our character.

Friends

Sucking the Marrow out of Life – with Ritual

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on January 31, 2014

The wine is sweeter. The oysters, saltier. The experience more intense, when ritual is added.

The wine is sweeter. The oysters, saltier. The experience more intense, when ritual is added.

Religion

Civilization Started with Ritual, Not Farming

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on January 13, 2014

The old story was that settled agriculture led to civilization. The new story is that ritual civilized us.

The old story was that settled agriculture led to civilization. The new story is that ritual civilized us.

Sex

Rituals and Sex

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on December 7, 2013

Recent research indicates that people may be using church for reproductive purposes as much as sacred ones.

Recent research indicates that people may be using church for reproductive purposes as much as sacred ones.

Altruism

Rituals of Absolution: "Go and Sin No More?"

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on November 16, 2013

Absolution may make us feel better, but does it make us behave better? Recent studies provide conflicting results.

Absolution may make us feel better, but does it make us behave better? Recent studies provide conflicting results.

Environment

Song and Dance as Information

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on October 25, 2013

What do former Chicago Cubs left fielder Moises Alou and the boy band N Sync have in common? They are both information sources. Our species avid craving for information may help explain the evolutionary origins of song and dance.

What do former Chicago Cubs left fielder Moises Alou and the boy band N Sync have in common? They are both information sources. Our species avid craving for information may help explain the evolutionary origins of song and dance.

Evolutionary Psychology

Two Caves, Two Rituals, Two Species

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on September 28, 2013

Two caves highlight the ritual differences between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. They also hint at why we are still here and they are not.

Two caves highlight the ritual differences between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. They also hint at why we are still here and they are not.

Altruism

The Ritual Species

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on August 26, 2013

Ritual builds community. Intense ritual builds even stronger communities, and this probably made a critical difference when humans and Neanderthals competed over territory in Ice-Age Europe.

Ritual builds community. Intense ritual builds even stronger communities, and this probably made a critical difference when humans and Neanderthals competed over territory in Ice-Age Europe.

Environment

Larger than Life

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on July 20, 2013

Whatever terror, triumph, or transition life imposes on us, we use ritual to incorporate it into our lives. Ritual robs nature of the last word

Whatever terror, triumph, or transition life imposes on us, we use ritual to incorporate it into our lives. Ritual robs nature of the last word

Spirituality

Behavior over Belief

Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on June 23, 2013

Ritual reminds us of our communal dependency. Sometimes that can be the difference between life and death.

Ritual reminds us of our communal dependency. Sometimes that can be the difference between life and death.