The Genesis of Studying Rituals

The interest in studying rituals originated from personal experiences shared by individuals rather than traditional religious or cultural practices. The speaker's background in behavioral science led to an exploration of everyday actions and informal team activities that people engage in when anxious, excited, or commemorating events. This informal nature of rituals caught attention, as individuals would often share quirky habits or actions they engaged in during daily routines. This exploration revealed the depth of their significance in human behavior and relationships, prompting the speaker to delve deeper into the subject and eventually write a book on the topic.