Why ritualized behavior? Precaution systems and action parsing in developmental, pathological and cultural rituals.

摘要: Ritualized behavior, intuitively recognizable by its stereotypy, rigidity, repetition, and apparent lack of rational motivation, is found in a variety life conditions, customs, everyday practices: cultural rituals, whether religious or non-religious; many children's complicated routines; the pathology obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD); normal adults around certain stages life-cycle, birthing particular. Combining evidence from evolutionary anthropology, neuropsychology neuroimaging, we propose an explanation ritualized behavior terms evolved Precaution System geared to detection reaction inferred threats fitness. This system, distinct fear-systems respond manifest danger, includes repertoire clues for potential danger as well species-typical precautions. In OCD pathology, this system does not supply negative feedback appraisal threats, resulting doubts about proper performance precautions, repetition action. Also, anxiety levels focus attention on low-level gestural units rather than goal-related higher-level normally used parsing action-flow. Normally automatized actions are submitted cognitive control. "swamps" working memory, effect which temporary relief intrusions but also their long-term strengthening. Normal activation explains ritual behaviors adults. Gradual calibration occurs through childhood rituals. Cultural mimicry system's input makes rituals attention-grabbing compelling. A number empirical predictions follow synthetic model.