Rituals and Living the Good Life

Harvard FAS

Why do we knock on wood for good luck? Why do we put birthday candles on cakes? Why do some cultures use black at funerals while others use only white? Why do teams perform team cheers before games?This seminar will explore the psychology of rituals – those odd, seemingly meaningless behaviors that research shows influence our psychology in profound ways, making the mundane meaningful: dull morning routines can instead get us “ready for our day” and rote work meetings can instead improve team…