Rituals and moral norm objectivization

Despite moral norms’ cross-cultural and temporal variation, we often perceive them as independent of time, culture, and subjects. Radim, Jan, Martin, and Radek examined what role religious rituals play in this process of norm objectivization.

7 Dec 2022

The authors elaborate on anthropologist Roy Rappaport, who argued that the performative element of rituals “materializes” these norms. The paper argues that this materiality manifests as norm objectivity in our psychology. The results reported in the new paper provide initial correlational evidence that the more frequently people attend rituals, the more objectively they perceive moral norms, and this effect is associated with rituals' performative aspects. You can find the paper here:

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/IY8QRSMK8GP2MFMNFAV7/full?target=10.1080/10508619.2022.2121454

26 Jun

LEVYNA conducted field research in Mauritius

As is our good tradition, LEVYNA members conducted a research trip to Mauritius in May 2025.

This year’s Mauritian expedition combined research with rich cultural immersion.
17 Feb

Witchcraft, Envy, and Norm Enforcement in Mauritius

In a new study published in Human Nature, LEVYNA was part of a team lead by A.K. Willard, studying how witchcraft beliefs affect social norms and behaviors. Specifically, researchers investigated whether witchcraft is regarded to be motivated by envy and how this notion influences community interactions. The findings show that, while witchcraft accusations were common, they were mostly directed at persons suspected of acting out of envy.
28 Jan

Socioeconomic variation in motivations for ritual practice – a new study by LEVYNA & UConn

In an ethnographic survey-based study published in the journal Religions, D. Xygalatas and P. Maňo looked at variation in motivations for ritual practice and how it relates to the socioeconomic status of respondents. The findings indicate that whereas people of lower socioeconomic standing address more immediate concerns related to material security and safety in their ritual practices, people at the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum tend to focus on the fulfillment of spiritual, social, or cultural needs.
23 Jan

Experimentally testing the existential insecurity hypothesis

In a new Registered Report published in Collabra, M. Lang and R. Chvaja experimentally tested whether secular individuals would be willing to join religious groups when threatened with cooperative insecurity. The results showed that while this effect was weak in a behavioral test, a self-reported willingness to join was much stronger than anticipated.

All articles

Rituals and moral norm objectivization

More articles

LEVYNA conducted field research in Mauritius

Witchcraft, Envy, and Norm Enforcement in Mauritius

Socioeconomic variation in motivations for ritual practice – a new study by LEVYNA & UConn

Experimentally testing the existential insecurity hypothesis