Music and inter-subjective coordination in ritualized behavior

LANG, Martin. Music and inter-subjective coordination in ritualized behavior. In Explaining religion : methods, theory & experiment, Thessaloniki, 22-24 November 2012. 2012.

Basic information

• Original name: Music and inter-subjective coordination in ritualized behavior
• Authors: LANG, Martin (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Explaining religion : methods, theory & experiment, Thessaloniki, 22-24 November 2012, 2012.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60300 6.3 Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
• Country of publisher: Greece
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/12:00062982
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: cooperation; motor coordination; music; rhythm; ritual
• Tags: rivok

Abstract

In 1912, Durkheim defined rituals as "ways of acting that are generated only within assembled groups and are meant to stimulate and sustain or recreate certain mental states in these groups." After 100 years, due to technological advancement, we can better understand what these mental states are and how they are evoked. Moreover, we can investigate how different ritual behaviors affect our evolved brains. Through ritualized behavior, among others, close ties are formed between participating members. This is demonstrated by studies in which collective rituals are shown to enhance cooperative behavior (e.g. Ruffle & Sosis, 2007; Sosis & Handwerker, 2011; Xygalatas et al., 2011). This study is aimed to identify one of the possible aspects of ritualized behavior which have these effect, i.e. a rhythmic beat. Rhythmic beat is known to promote synchronous and coordinated behavior (dancing, rowing etc.), and is a universal feature of many rituals (Fitch, 2006; Kirschner & Tomasello). However, very little is yet known about after effects of rhythm exposure, especially on human cooperation. We propose, that exposure to rhythm should support performance in joint tasks and possibly induce feelings of self-other overlap. Through investigations into the role of music in rituals, we hope to identify how rhythm facilitates these overlapping self-other representations.

Links

• EE2.3.20.0048, research and development project: Name: Laboratoř pro experimentální výzkum náboženství