How Do Rituals Affect Cooperation?: An Experimental Field Study Comparing Nine Ritual Types
Abstract
Collective rituals have long puzzled anthropologists, yet little is known about how rituals affect participants. Our study investigated the effects of nine naturally occurring rituals on prosociality. We operationalized prosociality as (1) attitudes about fellow ritual participants and (2) decisions in a public goods game. The nine rituals varied in levels of synchrony and levels of sacred attribution. We found that rituals with synchronous body movements were more likely to enhance prosocial attitudes. We also found that rituals judged to be sacred were associated with the largest contributions in the public goods game. Path analysis favored a model in which sacred values mediate the effects of synchronous movements on prosocial behaviors. Our analysis offers the first quantitative evidence for the long-standing anthropological conjecture that rituals orchestrate body motions and sacred values to support prosociality. Our analysis, moreover, adds precision to this old conjecture with evidence of a specific mechanism: ritual synchrony increases perceptions of oneness with others, which increases sacred values to intensify prosocial behaviors.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Visual synchronization of physical movements increases feelings of affiliation, self-esteem, compassion and altruistic behavior, rapport, and increased prosocial behavior, while during arguments, synchrony decreases.
“For example, the visual synchronization of physical movements increases feelings of affiliation (32), self-esteem (33), compassion and altruistic behavior (34), rapport (35), and increased prosocial behavior (36), while during arguments, synchrony decreases (37).”
From New Frontiers in Heart Rate Variability and Social Coherence Research: Techniques, Technologies, and Implications for Improving Group Dynamics and Outcomes (2017) · cites this paper as [36]
Group rituals involving more synchronous body movements are associated with more trust, cooperation, and feelings of oneness than other group rituals.
“Group rituals that involve more synchronous body movements are associated with more trust, cooperation, and feelings of oneness than are other group rituals (Fischer et al., 2013).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Fischer et al., 2013
A host of empirical studies have provided evidence linking group rituals to positive social outcomes, such as cooperation, social cohesion, and perceived social support.
“Since then, a host of empirical studies have provided evidence linking group rituals to positive social outcomes, such as cooperation, social cohesion, and perceived social support (Fischer, Callander, Reddish, & Bulbulia, 2013;Hopkins et al., 2015;Páez et al., 2007;Páez, Rimé, Basabe, Wlodarczyk, & Zumeta, 2015;Ruffle & Sosis, 2007;Sosis & Ruffle, 2003).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Fischer, Callander, Reddish, & Bulbulia, 2013
Rituals judged to be more sacred or meaningful are associated with more cooperation and feelings of oneness than other group rituals.
“Supporting this, research has shown that rituals that are judged to be more sacred or meaningful are associated with more cooperation and feelings of oneness than are other group rituals (Fischer et al., 2013).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Fischer et al., 2013
Cites
THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
Durkheim, É., & Swain, J. W. (1916) · AJN American Journal of Nursing · doi:10.2307/3405938 · Cited by 10,703 · see citing works
Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale and the structure of interpersonal closeness.
Aron, A., Aron, E. N., & Smollan, D. (1992) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.63.4.596 · Cited by 5,157 · see citing works
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life:
(2011) · Lutterworth Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctt1cgf6tc.14 · Cited by 3,310 · see citing works
Is Anybody out There? Antecedents of Trust in Global Virtual Teams
Jarvenpaa, S. L., Knoll, K., & Leidner, D. E. (1998) · Journal of Management Information Systems · doi:10.1080/07421222.1998.11518185 · Cited by 1,906 · see citing works
Wiltermuth, S. S., & Heath, C. (2009) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02253.x · Cited by 1,717 · see citing works
Common fate, similarity, and other indices of the status of aggregates of persons as social entities
Campbell, D. T. (2007) · Systems Research and Behavioral Science · doi:10.1002/bs.3830030103 · Cited by 1,543 · see citing works
It's All in the Timing: Interpersonal Synchrony Increases Affiliation
Hove, M. J., & Risen, J. L. (2009) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.2009.27.6.949 · Cited by 1,334 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Studies investigating synchronous behaviors among pairs (dyadic synchrony and mimicry) show that partners who match each other’s postures, motions, and vocalizations tend to express higher levels of subjective liking, tend to sense enhanced oneness with others (entitativity), and tend to become more charitable (Campbe…”
BackgroundVarieties of groups and the perception of group entitativity.
Lickel, B. A., Hamilton, D. L., Wieczorkowska, G., Lewis, A. C., Sherman, S. J., & Uhles, A. N. (2000) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.2.223 · Cited by 940 · see citing works
In Gods we Trust: The Evolutionary Landscape of Religion
Hinde, R. A. (2003) · Ars Disputandi · doi:10.1080/15665399.2003.10819760 · Cited by 930 · see citing works
Thinking the unthinkable: sacred values and taboo cognitions
Tetlock, P. E. (2003) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1364-6613(03)00135-9 · Cited by 915 · see citing works
Modes of religiosity: a cognitive theory of religious transmission
(2005) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.42-3375 · Cited by 897 · see citing works
(2002) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 745 · see citing works
Mimicry and Prosocial Behavior
van Baaren, R. B., Holland, R. W., Kawakami, K., & van Knippenberg, A. (2004) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.01501012.x · Cited by 683 · see citing works
Synchrony and the social tuning of compassion.
Valdesolo, P., & DeSteno, D. (2011) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/a0021302 · Cited by 654 · see citing works
Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual
Konvalinka, I., Xygalatas, D., Bulbulia, J., Schjødt, U., Jegindø, E.-M., Wallot, S., Van Orden, G., & Roepstorff, A. (2011) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1016955108 · Cited by 632 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Sacred values Collective rituals are deliberate social behaviors whose means-end purposes cannot be readily inferred from the action sequences of participant behaviors (Konvalinka et al. 2011).”
BackgroundSelf-citationRadcliffe-Brown, A. R. (1933) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 569 · see citing works
The Psychology of Moral Conviction
Skitka, L. J. (2010) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00254.x · Cited by 503 · see citing works
The Psychology of Moral Conviction
Skitka, L. J., Hanson, B. E., Morgan, G. S., & Wisneski, D. C. (2020) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-063020-030612 · Cited by 498 · see citing works
The rhythm of rapport: Interpersonal synchrony and social perception
Miles, L. K., Nind, L. K., & Macrae, C. N. (2009) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.02.002 · Cited by 483 · see citing works
Music and dance as a coalition signaling system
Hagen, E. H., & Bryant, G. A. (2003) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1015-z · Cited by 469 · see citing works
:Keeping Together in Time: Dance and Drill in Human History
Robins, M. R., & Robins, R. (1997) · Sixteenth Century Journal · doi:10.2307/2543056 · Cited by 453 · see citing works
Religion and Support for Suicide Attacks
Ginges, J., Hansen, I. G., & Ara Norenzayan, A. (2009) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02270.x · Cited by 404 · see citing works
Mimicry for money: Behavioral consequences of imitation
van Baaren, R. B., Holland, R. W., Steenaert, B., & van Knippenberg, A. (2003) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0022-1031(03)00014-3 · Cited by 393 · see citing works
Sosis, R., & Ruffle, B. J. (2003) · Current Anthropology · doi:10.1086/379260 · Cited by 389 · see citing works
Sosis, R. (2003) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1000-6 · Cited by 308 · see citing works
The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature
Levitin, D. J. (2008) · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Religion as a hard-to-fake sign of commitment.
Irons, W. (2001) · Cited by 228 · see citing works
Movement synchrony and perceived entitativity
Lakens, D. (2010) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2010.03.015 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Sacred Barriers to Conflict Resolution
Scott Atran, B., Axelrod, R., & DAVIS, R. E. (2007) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1144241 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Keeping together in time: dance and drill in human history
(1996) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.33-5497 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Does synchrony promote generalized prosociality?
Reddish, P., Bulbulia, J., & Fischer, R. (2014) · Religion, Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2013.764545 · Cited by 187 · cited 1× · see citing works
“(Notably, Reddish et al. 2013 have laboratory evidence indicating strong interactions from synchronous behaviors and collective goal orientations.)”
BackgroundSelf-citationAlvard, M., & Nolin, D. A. (2002) · Current Anthropology · doi:10.1086/341653 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Hive psychology, happiness, and public policy
Haidt, J., Patrick Seder, J., & Kesebir, S. (2008) · The Journal of Legal Studies · doi:10.1086/529447 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
The Roles of Entitativity and Essentiality in Judgments of Collective Responsibility
Denson, T. F., Lickel, B. A., Curtis, M., Stenstrom, D. M., & Ames, D. R. (2006) · Group Processes & Intergroup Relations · doi:10.1177/1368430206059857 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Keeping together in time dance and drill in human history
McNeill, W. H., & American Council of Learned Societies (1995) · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Hive Psychology, Happiness, and Public Policy
Haidt, J., Seder, J. P., & Kesebir, S. (2010) · University of Chicago Press eBooks · doi:10.7208/chicago/9780226676029.003.0006 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Pearce, J., Branyiczki, I., & Bakacsi, G. (1994) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.4030150307 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Spreading order: religion, cooperative niche construction, and risky coordination problems
Bulbulia, J. A. (2011) · Biology & Philosophy · doi:10.1007/s10539-011-9295-x · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citationEhrenreich, B. (2006) · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Tanner, C., Ryf, B., & Hanselmann, M. (2009) · Diagnostica · doi:10.1026/0012-1924.55.3.174 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Why Sing and Dance: an Examination of the Cooperative Effects of Group Synchrony
Reddish, P. (2012) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.17003458.v1 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
2 of the 43 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The cultural evolution of prosocial religions
Norenzayan, A., Shariff, A. F., Gervais, W. M., Willard, A. K., McNamara, R. A., Slingerland, E., & Henrich, J. (2016) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x14001356 · Cited by 934 · see citing works
Let’s Dance Together: Synchrony, Shared Intentionality and Cooperation
Reddish, P., Fischer, R., & Bulbulia, J. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071182 · Cited by 556 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Ties That Bind Us: Ritual, Fusion, and Identification
Whitehouse, H., & Lanman, J. A. (2014) · Current Anthropology · doi:10.1086/678698 · Cited by 509 · see citing works
The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework
Hobson, N. M., Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Xygalatas, D., & Inzlicht, M. (2018) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868317734944 · Cited by 354 · see citing works
“Supporting this, research has shown that rituals that are judged to be more sacred or meaningful are associated with more cooperation and feelings of oneness than are other group rituals (Fischer et al., 2013).”
BackgroundMcKay, R., & Whitehouse, H. (2015) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0038455 · Cited by 353 · see citing works
The Social Functions of Group Rituals
Watson-Jones, R. E., & Legare, C. H. (2016) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721415618486 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Cross-cultural perspectives on music and musicality
Trehub, S. E., Becker, J., & Morley, I. (2015) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2014.0096 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Does synchrony promote generalized prosociality?
Reddish, P., Bulbulia, J., & Fischer, R. (2014) · Religion, Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2013.764545 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Self-citationHunter-Gatherers and the Origins of Religion
Peoples, H. C., Duda, P., & Marlowe, F. W. (2016) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-016-9260-0 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Collective synchrony increases prosociality towards non‐performers and outgroup members
Reddish, P., Tong, E. M. W., Jong, J., Lanman, J. A., & Whitehouse, H. (2016) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12165 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Fire-Walker’s High: Affect and Physiological Responses in an Extreme Collective Ritual
Fischer, R. D., Xygalatas, D., Mitkidis, P., Reddish, P., Tok, P., Konvalinka, I., & Bulbulia, J. A. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088355 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Self-citationFessler, D. M. T., & Holbrook, C. (2014) · Biology Letters · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2014.0592 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Synchrony and Physiological Arousal Increase Cohesion and Cooperation in Large Naturalistic Groups
Jackson, J. C., Jong, J., Bilkey, D. K., Whitehouse, H., Zollmann, S., McNaughton, C., & Halberstadt, J. B. (2018) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-017-18023-4 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Sync or sink? Interpersonal synchrony impacts self-esteem
Lumsden, J., Miles, L. K., & Macrae, C. N. (2014) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01064 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Sync to link: Endorphin-mediated synchrony effects on cooperation
Lang, M., Bahna, V., Shaver, J. H., Reddish, P., & Xygalatas, D. (2017) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.06.001 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Self-citationKavanagh, C., Jong, J., McKay, R. T., & Whitehouse, H. (2018) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2514 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
McCraty, R. (2017) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00267 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
“For example, the visual synchronization of physical movements increases feelings of affiliation (32), self-esteem (33), compassion and altruistic behavior (34), rapport (35), and increased prosocial behavior (36), while during arguments, synchrony decreases (37).”
BackgroundDreu, C. K. W. D., & Gross, J. (2018) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x18002170 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Interpersonal Entrainment in Music Performance
Clayton, M. R. L., Jakubowski, K., Eerola, T., Keller, P. E., Camurri, A., Volpe, G., & Alborno, P. (2020) · Music Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1525/mp.2020.38.2.136 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
The cultural evolutionary trade-off of ritualistic synchrony
Gelfand, M. J., Caluori, N., Jackson, J. C., & Taylor, M. K. (2020) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0432 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Kapitány, R., Kavanagh, C. M., Buhrmester, M. D., Newson, M., & Whitehouse, H. (2019) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2019.1578686 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Coordinating bodies and minds: Behavioral synchrony fosters mentalizing
Baimel, A., Birch, S., & Norenzayan, A. (2017) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2017.10.008 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
The Choreography of Group Affiliation
von Zimmermann, J., Vicary, S., Sperling, M., Orgs, G., & Richardson, D. C. (2018) · Topics in Cognitive Science · doi:10.1111/tops.12320 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Social Bonds and Exercise: Evidence for a Reciprocal Relationship
Davis, A., Taylor, J., & Cohen, E. E. A. (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136705 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Handshaking promotes deal-making by signaling cooperative intent.
Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Francesca Gino, B., & Norton, M. I. (2018) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspi0000157 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
The intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences of interpersonal synchrony
Hu, Y., Cheng, X., Pan, Y., & Hu, Y. (2022) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103513 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Synchronized behavior increases assessments of the formidability and cohesion of coalitions
Fessler, D. M. T., & Holbrook, C. (2016) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2016.05.003 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Farmer, H., & Maister, L. (2017) · Social Justice Research · doi:10.1007/s11211-017-0294-1 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Beyond Content of Conversation
Koudenburg, N., Postmes, T., & Gordijn, E. (2017) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868315626022 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Sheikh, H., Ginges, J., & Atran, S. (2013) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/nyas.12275 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Verbal Synchrony and Action Dynamics in Large Groups
von Zimmermann, J., & Richardson, D. C. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.02034 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Behavioral ethics for Homo economicus, Homo heuristicus, and Homo duplex
Kluver, J. R., Frazier, R. S., & Haidt, J. (2014) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2013.12.004 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Enhancing “theory of mind” through behavioral synchrony
Baimel, A., Severson, R. L., Baron, A. S., & Birch, S. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00870 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Uniform and Complementary Social Interaction: Distinct Pathways to Solidarity
Koudenburg, N., Postmes, T., Gordijn, E., & Broekman, A. V. M. (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129061 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The functions of imitative behaviour in humans
Farmer, H., Ciaunica, A., & Hamilton, A. F. D. C. (2018) · Mind & Language · doi:10.1111/mila.12189 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Focusing on the Nonreligious Reveals Secular Mechanisms Underlying Well-Being and Prosociality
Galen, L. (2018) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000202 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Designing With Ritual Interaction
Mah, K., Loke, L., & Hespanhol, L. (2020) · International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI) · doi:10.1145/3374920.3374947 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
From Values to Behavior and from Behavior to Values
Fischer, R. D. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56352-7_10 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Self-citationLarge-scale cooperation driven by reputation, not fear of divine punishment
Ge, E., Chen, Y., Wu, J., & Mace, R. H. (2019) · Royal Society Open Science · doi:10.1098/rsos.190991 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Designing for interpersonal motor synchronization
Rinott, M., & Tractinsky, N. (2021) · Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/07370024.2021.1912608 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The psychology of rituals: An integrative review and process-based frameworkPreprint
Hobson, N. M., Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Xygalatas, D., & Inzlicht, M. (2017) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/98v3f · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Altered States of Consciousness during an Extreme Ritual
Lee, E. M., Klement, K. R., Ambler, J. K., Loewald, T., Comber, E. M., Hanson, S. A., Pruitt, B., & Sagarin, B. J. (2016) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153126 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Kišjuhas, A. (2023) · Leisure Studies · doi:10.1080/02614367.2023.2183979 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Group dancing as the evolutionary origin of rhythmic entrainment in humans
Brown, S. (2021) · New Ideas in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.newideapsych.2021.100902 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Work group rituals enhance the meaning of work
Kim, T., Sezer, O., Schroeder, J., Risen, J. L., Gino, F., & Norton, M. I. (2021) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2021.05.005 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Christensen, J. F., Vartanian, M., Sancho-Escanero, L., Khorsandi, S., Yazdi, S. H. N., Farahi, F., Borhani, K., & Gomila, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.588948 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Moral Foundations Predict Religious Orientations in New Zealand
Bulbulia, J. A., Osborne, D., & Sibley, C. G. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080224 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Self-citationProsocial effects of coordination – What, how and why?
Michael, J., McEllin, L. S., & Felber, A. (2020) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103083 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Cohen, R. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-3216-0_14 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
The evolution of human ritual behavior as a cooperative signaling platform
Lang, M., & Kundt, R. (2023) · Religion Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2023.2197977 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Rituals, Repetitiveness and Cognitive Load: A Competitive Test of Ritual Benefits for Stress
Karl, J. A., & Fischer, R. (2018) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-018-9325-3 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Self-citationInclusive fitness theory for the evolution of religion
Crespi, B. J., & Summers, K. (2014) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.02.013 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Why robots can’t haka: skilled performance and embodied knowledge in the Māori haka
Mingon, M., & Sutton, J. D. (2021) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-020-02981-w · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Following the Rhythm of the Heart: HeartMath Institute’s Path to HRV Biofeedback
McCraty, R. (2022) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/s10484-022-09554-2 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
On the evolution of baboon greeting rituals
Pesco, F. D., & Fischer, J. (2020) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0420 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music
Beccacece, L., Abondio, P., Cilli, E., Restani, D., & Luiselli, D. (2021) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms22105397 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Images from a jointly-arousing collective ritual reveal affective polarization
Bulbulia, J. A., Xygalatas, D., Schjoedt, U., Fondevila, S., Sibley, C. G., & Konvalinka, I. (2013) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00960 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Self-citationKostrubiec, V., Huys, R., Jas, B., & Kruck, J. (2017) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3326-7 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
PRAYING TOGETHER: CORPORATE PRAYER AND SHARED SITUATIONS
Cockayne, J., & Salter, G. (2019) · Zygon® · doi:10.1111/zygo.12543 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Personality Traits in Former Spanish Substance Users Recovered with Ayahuasca
Apud Peláez, I. E. (2020) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2020.1752960 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Reshaping social structure through performances: Emergent solidarity between actors and observers
Broekman, A. V. M., Gordijn, E., Koudenburg, N., & Postmes, T. (2018) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2017.12.002 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Prosocial correlates of transformative experiences at secular multi-day mass gatherings
Yudkin, D. A., Prosser, A. M. B., Heller, S. M., Kateri Mcrae, A., Chakroff, A., & Crockett, M. J. (2022) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-022-29600-1 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Transcendence, religion and social bonding
Dein, S. L. (2020) · Archive for the Psychology of Religion · doi:10.1177/0084672420905018 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Bravo, D., Oriol, X., Gómez, M. E., Cortez, D., & Unanue, W. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.591498 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Hunter-Gatherers, Mismatch and Mental Disorder
Chaudhary, N., & Salalι, G. D. (2022) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781009030564.007 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Liao, X., Lyu, B., & Abbas, J. (2023) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19530 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Wood, C. P., Caldwell‐Harris, C. L., & Stopa, A. (2018) · Journal of Cognition and Culture · doi:10.1163/15685373-12340028 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Rossano, M. J. (2020) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0429 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Fischer, R. D., & Kruekaew, J. (2019) · Religion Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2019.1626271 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Ritual Origins of Humanity
Rossano, M. J. (2015) · Interdisziplinäre Anthropologie · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-10978-3_1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Emotional contagion in a collective ritual
Xygalatas, D., Lang, M., Maňo, P., Krátký, J., & Fischer, R. D. (2024) · American Journal of Human Biology · doi:10.1002/ajhb.24111 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationRiva, G., Wiederhold, B. K., & Mantovani, F. (2024) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2024.0334 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Is Palaeolithic cave art consistent with costly signalling theory? Lascaux as a test case
Gittins, R., & Pettitt, P. (2017) · World Archaeology · doi:10.1080/00438243.2017.1386590 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
An experimental examination of object-directed ritualized action in children across two cultures
Kapitány, R., Davis, J., Legare, C. H., & Nielsen, M. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0206884 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Embodied metaphors and interpersonal synchrony in the digital age: the case of remote working
Magni, G., Genovese, L. A., Riva, G., & Repetto, C. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1648733 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
The Effects of Synchrony on Group Moral Hypocrisy
Chvaja, R., Kundt, R., & Lang, M. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.544589 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Geertz, A. W. (2014) · Numen · doi:10.1163/15685276-12341319 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Ayahuasca: Between Cognition and Culture
Peláez, I. E. A. (2020) · Publicacions URV eBooks · doi:10.17345/9788484248347 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Cybersecurity Insights Gleaned from World Religions
Renaud, K., & Dupuis, M. (2023) · Computers & Security · doi:10.1016/j.cose.2023.103326 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Irving, B., Kavanagh, C., Fischer, R., & Yuki, M. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0291655 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationMicro-variations in timing and loudness affect music-evoked mental imagery
Ayyildiz, C., Milne, A. J., Irish, M., & Herff, S. A. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-12604-4 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Nationalistic Collective Rituals, Intergroup Relations, and Legitimation of National Social Systems
Salfate, S. V., Páez, D., Oriol, X., da Costa, S., Gondim, S. M. G., & Techio, E. M. (2020) · International Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.5334/irsp.291 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Temporary Self-Deprivation Can Impair Cognitive Control: Evidence From the Ramadan Fast
Rad, M. S., Ansarinia, M., & Shafir, E. B. (2022) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672211070385 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Kaše, V., Hampejs, T., & Pospı́šil, Z. (2018) · Journal of Cognition and Culture · doi:10.1163/15685373-12340041 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Reit, E. S., & Halevy, N. (2019) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.07.017 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Tamminen, K. A., Danyluck, C., Bonk, D., & Chen, R. (2023) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2023.2259205 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Evolutionary Perspectives on Religion and Violence
Alcorta, C. S., & Sosis, R. H. (2022) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781009238328 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Viengkham, D., Baumann, C., Winzar, H. F., & Dahana, W. D. (2021) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.10.049 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Yin, K., Lan, M., Li, H., & Zhao, Z. (2021) · Acta Psychologica Sinica · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1041.2022.00054 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Pollack, J. S., Holbrook, C., Fessler, D. M. T., Sparks, A. M., & Zerbe, J. G. (2018) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-018-9320-8 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Children's imitation of costly rituals: Insights into early cultural learning
Zhao, M., Fong, F. T. K., Whiten, A., & Nielsen, M. (2025) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106706 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Music and Musicality
Trehub, S. E., Becker, J., & Morley, I. (2018) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/10636.003.0011 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Yousefali, P., Zarani, F., Boelen, P. A., Zabihzadeh, A., Panaghi, L., & Ghorkhanehchi, R. (2024) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2024.2400370 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Global study of long term heart rhythm synchronization in groups
Plonka, N., Atkinson, M., McCraty, R., Cornélissen, G., Turner, A. C., Ragulskis, M. K., & Vainoras, A. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-79264-8 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Jackson, J. C., Bilkey, D. K., Jong, J., Rossignac‐Milon, M., & Halberstadt, J. B. (2017) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/1948550617709112 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Experimental Methods in Cross-Cultural Management
Fischer, R. D., & Karl, J. A. (2020) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781529714340.n10 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationSuicide Risks and Protections in Religious Communities: Two Exploratory Studies
Mason, K. E., Rynbrandt, B., Capehart, K., Rando, A., Dokopoulos, S., & O’Shell, D. (2024) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel15091118 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Beyond Impasse: Addressing Sacred Values in International Political Negotiations
Argo, N., & Ginges, J. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-10687-8_23 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Crespi, B. J. (2016) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199397747.013.9 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Belief, Ritual, and the Evolution of Religion
Rossano, M. J., & Vandewalle, B. (2016) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199397747.013.8 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
- Authors
- Fischer, R., Callander, R., Reddish, P., & Bulbulia, J.
- Affiliations
- Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
- Masaryk University (CZ)
- Corresponding author
- Bulbulia, Joseph
- Venue
- Human Nature
- Published
- 2013-05-11
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 115-125
- ISSN
- 1045-6767 (ISSN-L)
- 1936-4776
- OpenAlex
- W93630498
- Cited by
- 191
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 8
- FWCI
- 40.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Human Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Violence, Religion, and Philosophy
- Keywords
- collective ritual, prosocial behavior, sacred values, body movement, public goods game, cooperation, prosocial attitudes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Ceremonial Behavior, Cooperative Behavior, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, New Zealand, Social Values, Gift Giving, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
