On the Elementary Neural Forms of Interaction Rituals

• In Event: 467 - Section on Evolution, Biology and Society Paper Session. Sexualities and Other Evolutionary and Biological Themes in the Study of the Social World

Abstract

Randall Collins’ interaction ritual (IR) theory suggests solidarity as neurologically hardwired in the capacity for rhythmic entrainment. Yet, this article suggests that IR theory may benefit from being tied more firmly to recent neurological research, specifically Stephen W. Porges’ neurophysiological polyvagal theory. IR theory does not sufficiently acknowledge the autonomic nervous system as a system involving a phylogenetically ordered response hierarchy, of which only one subsystem supports prosocial behavior. The ritual ingredients of shared attention and mood may be clarified as part of a social engagement system, neurally regulating attention and arousal via brain-face-heart circuits. This allows rhythmic entrainment to be specified as a neural epiphenomenon of the social engagement system. The polyvagal perspective, moreover, challenges IR theory to reconsider the importance of biological individual differences. Ritual success may not merely be ascribed to interactional effects, but also to reciprocal causality between situations and neurobiological properties of ritual participants.

Authors

• Marie Bruvik Heinskou, University of Copenhagen

• Lasse Suonperä Liebst, University of Copenhagen