Ritualized behaviors

Ritual is ubiquitous in human society and a manifestation of ideology. Ritual usually involves symbolic, prescribed, and structured behaviors that are often repetitive in nature. Aspects of ritual behavior include animism, dance, divination, magic, music, mythology, rites of passage, sorcery and witchcraft, shamans and priests, taboos and totems. Ceremony and ritual usually involve information, artifacts, and architecture. Artifacts associated with various aspects of ritual behavior sometimes show up in the archaeological record. The term ritual is sometimes used to describe material remains that are not readily understood in terms of technology, organization, or economy. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The obsessions and compulsive rituals of OCD can sometimes resemble the odd behavior of a Cluster A personality disorder. The most helpful difference may be that the rituals of OCD are ego-dystonic while the eccentricity of Cluster A personality disorder tends to be ego-syntonic. Usually, the OCD patient is aware of the excessive nature of the obsessions and wishes to be rid of them. The Cluster A patient tends to embrace the odd behavior and draw comfort from it. 

Evans, D.W, Leckman, J.F., Carter, A., Reznick, J.S., Henshaw, D., King, R.A., and Pauls, D. (1997) Ritual, habit, and perfectionism the prevalence and development of compulsive-like behavior in normal young children. Child Dev 68 58—68. 

Obsessions are defined as intrusive, repetitive thoughts, ideas, images, or impulses that are anxiety provoking and unwanted ( worries ). They are typically recognized as being unwanted and excessive (ego dystonic), even in very young children, and the anxiety they cause leads to the performance of compulsive behaviors that serve to reduce anxiety ( rituals ), thus setting up a... 

In Kanner s 1943 landmark description of 11 autistic children, the repetitive nature of behavior, speech, and modes of social interaction were designated as core clinical elements of the syndrome (Kanner, 1943). Verbal and motor rituals, obsessive questioning, a rigid adherence to routine, a preoccupation with details, and an anxiously obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness and completeness were all noted. These phenomena remain as core elements in the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder in DSM-IV. 

In the MR population, OCD can be manifested as adherence to specific routines, performance of rituals, or stereotypies. If the person is not able to fulfill these routines and rituals, he or she may become agitated, upset, and uncooperative. The diagnosis of OCD in children with MR is based more on behavioral observations than on a description of internal factors. Treatment is recommended if these behaviors interfere with the person s ability to function and learn. In the Expert Consensus survey (Rush and Frances, 2000) treatment with an SSRI was recommended. Clomipramine, a TCA, may also be considered. Bodfish and Madison... 

The Holiday Inn was an experiment in cultural technology, making it easy for most people to take long-distance vacations. It helped to change behavior on a large scale, which New York Times writer Walter Kirn says became a ritual whose manifold consequences are unknowable. " ... 

During all phases of treatment, education, supportive therapy, and, at times, more specific types of psychotherapy are essential for a satisfactory outcome. For example, interpersonal therapy can complement adequate maintenance antidepressant treatment, possibly diminishing the frequency of episodes (see the section Role of Psychosocial Therapies in Chapter 7), and cognitive-behavioral techniques in combination with antiobsessive agents (e.g., clomipramine) can improve the quality of life for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, minimizing time spent on disabling rituals (see the section Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Chapter 13). 

In almost all known societies throughout history, people have used beer, wine, or liquor for nutritional, medical, ritual, and recreational purposes—or just to get drunk. Moreover, the use of these beverages is embedded in a very dense network of social norms and sanctions. There is enormous variety in drinking behavior and drinking norms across cultures, at least with regard to moderate drinking. Alcoholics, by con-... 

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