Detailed Information on Publication Record
2016
Kneeling to Feel Small: Effects of Submissive Position on Perception and Behaviour
KUNDTOVÁ KLOCOVÁ, Eva and Martin LANGBasic information
Original name
Kneeling to Feel Small: Effects of Submissive Position on Perception and Behaviour
Name (in English)
Kneeling to Feel Small: Effects of Submissive Position on Perception and Behaviour
Authors
Edition
International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion (IACSR) 2016 conference, 2016
Other information
Type of outcome
Prezentace na konferencích
Confidentiality degree
není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství
Organization unit
Faculty of Arts
Keywords in English
kneeling, embodied cognition, submission, ritual
Změněno: 29/4/2019 14:15, Mgr. Igor Hlaváč
V originále
Most religious traditions emphasize strict power distinctions between the human and superhuman/divine and often demand submissive attitude towards the superhuman agents. This attitude can be enforced not only directly in teachings and theology of the given religious tradition, but also by ritual practices using congruent embodied states of submission, such as kneeling, prostrating or looking up to the representation of deity. I argue that those practices in religious rituals are not mere expressions of subordination, but that they establish and modulate the submissive attitude and behaviour towards the superhuman agents and can enforce inner hierarchical structure of a religious group. Experimental evidence supports similar assertion for other bodily postures and vertical orientation of perception – there is however no exhaustive research program focusing on submissive positions in religious rituals and their effects on human behaviour and attitudes. The proposed poster presents results from series of experimental studies testing hypotheses directed at the effects of submissive body postures (kneeling). Specifically, research explored how the position of a person (standing or kneeling) influences the perception of one´s powerfulness/powerlessness and further behavioural responses in social settings (dyadic communication).
In English
Most religious traditions emphasize strict power distinctions between the human and superhuman/divine and often demand submissive attitude towards the superhuman agents. This attitude can be enforced not only directly in teachings and theology of the given religious tradition, but also by ritual practices using congruent embodied states of submission, such as kneeling, prostrating or looking up to the representation of deity. I argue that those practices in religious rituals are not mere expressions of subordination, but that they establish and modulate the submissive attitude and behaviour towards the superhuman agents and can enforce inner hierarchical structure of a religious group. Experimental evidence supports similar assertion for other bodily postures and vertical orientation of perception – there is however no exhaustive research program focusing on submissive positions in religious rituals and their effects on human behaviour and attitudes. The proposed poster presents results from series of experimental studies testing hypotheses directed at the effects of submissive body postures (kneeling). Specifically, research explored how the position of a person (standing or kneeling) influences the perception of one´s powerfulness/powerlessness and further behavioural responses in social settings (dyadic communication).
Links
| EE2.3.20.0048, research and development project |
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