Concurrents – Environmental Psychology: Recognize the Rituals!
Workplace rituals help groups become and stay psychologically healthy and perform to their full potential – so, it’s important that the physical design of a workplace syncs with positive, well-practiced work group customs. Watson-Jones and Legare report in a recent Current Directions in Psychological Science article that rituals, in general, can aid in the building of social cohesion, or bonds between group members, which can support professional performance, particularly in stressful situations. Trust and cooperation grow between people who feel that they are members of the same group. Participating in group rituals can identify someone as a committed member of a group, someone who shares values and beliefs with other group members. Celebrating birthdays during the workday can be a workplace ritual. The same goes for eating lunch together or seasonal parties. I know of a work group that plays cards together every lunchtime; that card playing is a ritual …
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