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Ritualization (Erikson)

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Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences

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Synonyms

Rituals

Definition

Ritualization is Erik Erikson’s term for repeated structured interpersonal interactions that connect individuals with each other and with their societies in a vitalizing or numinous way. They are particularly important for establishing ego identity; they connect individuals at each life cycle psychosocial stage with the ideology of their culture. As well as serving initiating and integrating functions, they may also be commemorative. When they lack a vitalizing aspect, they degenerate into ritualism.

Introduction

According to Erikson, ritualizations are structured repeatable interactions between individuals that serve to further their psychosocial development by establishing or reinforcing connections to a society and its ideological goals. Ritualizations may be private or public ceremonies between two individuals, between an individual and a group, or between groups. Ritualizations acknowledge and support the mutuality between an individual, facing a series...

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References

  • Erikson, E. H. (1977). Toys and reasons: Stages in the ritualization of experience. New York: W.W. Norton.

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  • Erikson, E. H. (1982). The life cycle completed (extended version). New York: W.W. Norton.

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  • Erikson, E. H., Erikson, J. M., & Kivnick, H. Q. (1986). Vital involvement in old age. New York: W.W. Norton.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada

    James E. Marcia

Authors
  1. James E. Marcia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James E. Marcia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University, Rochester, USA

    Virgil Zeigler-Hill

  2. Oakland University, Rochester, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. MacQuarie University, North Ryde, Australia

    Simon Boag

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Marcia, J.E. (2016). Ritualization (Erikson). In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1424-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1424-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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