商品簡介
Knottnerus (sociology, Oklahoma State U.) sees the study of ritual as a "missing link" in sociology. He defines ritual as patterns repeated regularly by groups or individuals. They can be both religious and secular and can be either internally or externally imposed. This book is an introduction to his Structural Ritualization Theory, therefore the first chapters give the background to and essence of SRT. Later chapters give examples of ritualization. The most dramatic of these is the disruption of daily ritual caused by internment in concentration camps, the imposition of a new ritual and the creation of group ritual as a counter measure. Knottnerus has also applied this to ritualized mistreatment of the elderly in nursing homes, which will be published in a later volume. He sees this study as providing a different way of seeing and improving society and looks forward to further research by others. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
