成人论坛


Explore the 成人论坛
Radio 4
PROGRAMME FINDER:
Programmes
Podcast
Schedule
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News
Drama
Comedy
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
Radio 4 Help

About the 成人论坛

Contact Us

Help


Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 
成人论坛 Radio 4 - 92 to 94 FM and 198 Long WaveListen to Digital Radio, Digital TV and OnlineListen on Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online

Science
RITUAL
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page

A fascinating look at the link between human and animal rituals.

Tuesday 11 February 2003, 9.00-9.30pm

Do we perform the most beautiful and evocative ceremonies because of the activity in our brains based in our basal ganglia? This is the claim of some neuroscientists who claim that the desire to perform ritual is a primitive instinct that can be found throughout the natural world.

Church Service

Dr Gillian Rice looks at human and animal rituals and tries to un-pick the evidence that says we are just obeying a desire to reduce stress and communicate effectively.

But what happens when ritualised behaviour goes wrong? Gillian looks at what happens to our brains when the actions that should produce calm, meditative thoughts produce an agonising mental illness that destroys people's lives, trapping them in endless ritual actions. OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder affects up to 3% of the population. People who have this have to repeat actions many times a day, usually washing. We hear from a lady who became a recluse for 10 years, fearing to leave the house for fear of contamination. If she did she had to wash and scrub herself until she literally got down to the last layer of skin.

This programme will shed new light on ritual behaviour. It is a fascinating and intriguing look at the relationship between human and animal ritual and the fine boundary between normal behaviour and severe illness.

Listen again to the programme Listen again to the programme

Listen Live
Audio Help
DON'T MISS
Leading Edge
RELATED PROGRAMMES
All in the Mind - OCD
Emotional Rollercoaster
Frontiers - Emotions
The Material World
Primitive Streaks

News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top

About the 成人论坛 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy