Ritualization reduces anxiety
Martin Lang, Jan Krátký, and Dimitris Xygalatas published a paper on ritualization and anxiety reduction in Scientific Reports.
In their chapter, Martin Lang and Radim Chvaja examine the evolutionary relationship between anxiety and rituals and ask whether the ritual reduction of anxiety might be adaptive?
They argue that in pro-longed uncontrollable circumstances, long-lasting anxiety could be unnecessarily harmful. Ritual anxiety reduction could thus be beneficial in safe environments, even if not mitigating the threat itself.
You can find the chapter here:
Martin Lang, Jan Krátký, and Dimitris Xygalatas published a paper on ritualization and anxiety reduction in Scientific Reports.
Radim Chvaja, Jan Horský, Martin Lang, and Radek Kundt published a study on ritual and objectivity of moral norms in The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion.