Social psychologists have often followed other scientists in treating religiosity primarily as a set of beliefs held by individuals. But, beliefs are only one facet of this complex and multidimensional construct. The authors argue that social psychology can best contribute to scholarship on religion by being relentlessly social. They begin with a social-functionalist approach in which beliefs, ...

Assam had a tradition of public celebration of puberty, known as tuloni biya. Tuloni biya is ceremonially symbolic to wedding which is celebrated seven days after a girl attains her puberty. In present times, however, one can hardly see any public celebration of puberty. This practice of celebration of tuloni biya has undergone significant changes. Celebration of puberty is becoming a close fam...

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection commonly causes "cold sores" (HSV type 1 [HSV-1]) and genital herpes (HSV-1 or HSV type 2 [HSV-2]); HSV infection in newborns can result in death or permanent disability. During November 2000-December 2011, a total of 11 newborn males had laboratory-confirmed HSV infection in the weeks following out-of-hospital Jewish ritual circumcision, investigators from ...

BACKGROUND A range of studies has demonstrated the efficacy of the psychoactive Amazonian brew ayahuasca in addressing substance addiction. These have revealed that physiological and psychological mechanisms are deeply enmeshed. This article focuses on how interactive ritual contexts support the healing effort. The study of psychedelic-assisted treatments for addiction has much to gain from eth...

W hat goes inside a Maya building is just as signif icant in determining its function as a building's architectural plan and external appearance. Structures are not alike in their contents. Some hold in-terments and caches; some contain earlier buildings; others are single or multiple construction efforts with no contents other than f ill. Artifacts are found littered on the f loors of some bui...

This article surveys the current pervasiveness of the phenomenon of sacred trees in the Holy Land, with special reference to the official attitudes of local religious leaders and the attitudes of Muslims in comparison with the Druze as well as in monotheism vs. polytheism. Field data regarding the reasons for the sanctification of trees and the common beliefs and rituals related to them are des...

CONTEXT Major influences on learning about medical professionalism come from the hidden curriculum. These influences can contribute positively or negatively towards the professional enculturation of clinical students. The fact that there is no validated method for identifying the components of the hidden curriculum poses problems for educators considering professionalism. The aim of this study ...

Long-established rituals in preexisting cultural groups have been linked to the cultural evolution of group cooperation. We tested the prediction that novel rituals-arbitrary hand and body gestures enacted in a stereotypical and repeated fashion-can inculcate intergroup bias in newly formed groups. In four experiments, participants practiced novel rituals at home for 1 week (Experiments 1, 2, a...

Provision of culturally appropriate care for Hindus in care homes in the UK. Core Hindu beliefs are explained and the importance of worship, festivals, self care, diet and death rituals are examined. 19 refs. Source: BNI