Semester:
Offered:
Michael I. Norton (Harvard Business School)
First-Year Seminar 71Y 4 credits (fall term) Enrollment: Limited to 12
Why do we knock on wood for good luck? Why do we put birthday candles on cakes? Why do some cultures use black at funerals while others use only white? Why do teams perform team cheers before games? This class will explore the psychology of rituals – those odd, seemingly meaningless behaviors that research shows influence our psychology in profound ways, making the mundane meaningful: dull morning routines can instead get us “ready for our day” and rote work meetings can instead improve team cohesion and performance. We will explore rituals in domains ranging from performance anxiety to team effectiveness, from enhancing consumption to improving health—in our daily lives, our work lives, and even when trying to cope with family during the holidays.