A Sacred Commitment: How Rituals Promote Group Survival

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes about how rituals contribute to the survival and cohesion of religious groups.

Group Rituals

Meaningful sequences of actions characterized by rigidity, formality, and repetition that enhance group cohesion.

Committed Cognition

The internalization of values that enhances belief in a group’s ideals.

Committed Affect

The emotional desire to maintain membership in a group.

Committed Behavior

An orientation towards contributing to the welfare of the group.

Collective Effervescence

A shared emotional experience during rituals that fosters belonging and social bonding.

Causal Opacity

A concept where rituals contain arbitrary sequences of behaviors that are imbued with social norms, making them symbolize group values.

Internal Commitment

The strength of an individual’s attachment and devotion to their group, fostered by participation in rituals.

Free-Riders

Individuals who benefit from group membership without contributing to the group’s welfare.

Devoted Actor Hypothesis

The idea that individuals are willing to perform costly behaviors to protect their group's sacred values.

Ritual Modes Theory

A theory suggesting that certain high-arousal rituals create a stronger bond among participants.