Extreme Rituals Promote Prosociality (original) (raw)

Extreme rituals, often involving significant costs, are theorized to enhance social cohesion and prosocial behavior. This research examines the relationship between ritual intensity and prosociality in a real-world context during the Thaipusam festival in Mauritius. Through economic measures of generosity and group identity indicators, findings reveal that higher ritual intensity correlates with increased generosity and social identification. The study supports the hypothesis that extreme rituals not only promote prosocial behaviors but also strengthen broader community identities, linking personal sacrifice to communal altruism.