Groups and Emotional Arousal Mediate Neural Synchrony and Perceived Ritual Efficacy.

ABSTRACT: We present the first neurophysiological signatures showing distinctive effects of group social context and emotional arousal on cultural perceptions, such as the efficacy of religious rituals. Using a novel protocol, EEG data were simultaneously recorded from ethnic Chinese religious believers in group and individual settings as they rated the perceived efficacy of low, medium, and high arousal spirit-medium rituals presented as video clips. Neural oscillatory patterns were then analyzed for these perceptual judgements, categorized as low, medium, and high efficacy. The results revealed distinct neural signatures and behavioral patterns between the experimental conditions. Arousal levels predicted ratings of ritual efficacy. Increased efficacy was marked by suppressed alpha and beta power,

SUBMITTER: Cho PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6212580 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature