‘‘Yes And’Yes And’

Throughout TimeThroughout Time

and Social Spaceand Social Space

‘‘Yes And’Yes And’

Throughout TimeThroughout Time

and Social Spaceand Social Space

The Anthropology The Anthropology of Improvised of Improvised

TheatreTheatre

Improv does this to Improv does this to peoplepeople

““When it works, and you know it’s When it works, and you know it’s working, There’s like an automatic pilot working, There’s like an automatic pilot thing that sets in between 2 or 3 or even thing that sets in between 2 or 3 or even all of us at once, where you sense that all of us at once, where you sense that it’s writing itself, and you’re just kind of it’s writing itself, and you’re just kind of there and along for the ride and enjoying there and along for the ride and enjoying it.” (Erin, Personal Interview 2007)it.” (Erin, Personal Interview 2007)

Improv does this to Improv does this to peoplepeople

““This was two characters who hadn’t been This was two characters who hadn’t been introduced yet. Both [of us] came out with introduced yet. Both [of us] came out with characters and a situation and a focus that was characters and a situation and a focus that was identical. I mean the characters were not identical. I mean the characters were not identical, but they were complimentary. And we identical, but they were complimentary. And we just started talking, and I was like ‘Oh my god, just started talking, and I was like ‘Oh my god, this is the coolest thing’. It was this is the coolest thing’. It was so so cool…and cool…and this was the first time this had happened to this was the first time this had happened to me…That gave me a real sense of ‘Ok, that me…That gave me a real sense of ‘Ok, that can can happen.’…That was a happen.’…That was a great great feeling. That feeling. That was a great feeling.” (Jill, Personal Interview was a great feeling.” (Jill, Personal Interview 2007)2007)

Improv does this to Improv does this to peoplepeople

““After [the show], the next day I had to sit down After [the show], the next day I had to sit down and write in my journal…I thought ‘oh my gosh, and write in my journal…I thought ‘oh my gosh, what if I lived this way? What if I really lived this what if I lived this way? What if I really lived this way in the world with people?’ I was very way in the world with people?’ I was very touched by watching [the performers] work touched by watching [the performers] work together. I mean, that’s no lie, and I just said, together. I mean, that’s no lie, and I just said, “What if I lived that way?” And it caused me to “What if I lived that way?” And it caused me to examine, on the lowest level, what if I said examine, on the lowest level, what if I said “yes, and” to “yes, and” to you you and and you you and and you you [pointing [pointing randomly at people].” (Laura, Personal randomly at people].” (Laura, Personal Interview 2007)Interview 2007)

What’s the Story?What’s the Story?

What are these feelings of unity that are What are these feelings of unity that are commonly experienced in improv theater commonly experienced in improv theater among other arts?among other arts?

What is at the heart of this What is at the heart of this connectedness?connectedness?

How is it that people are able to connect How is it that people are able to connect and understand one another in the first and understand one another in the first place?place?

CommunitasCommunitas

Feelings of cognitive-emotional unity Feelings of cognitive-emotional unity amongst a group of people involved in amongst a group of people involved in some form of ritual activity (Turner 1982)some form of ritual activity (Turner 1982)

Liminal space. Betwixt and between.Liminal space. Betwixt and between. States of grace.States of grace. Things that bar the way.Things that bar the way. How do we get here?How do we get here?

EmpathyEmpathy

Requires a theory of mind.Requires a theory of mind. Orders of Intentionality: I know that you Orders of Intentionality: I know that you

know that I know that you know. know that I know that you know. Emotional contagion.Emotional contagion. The lessons of Autism.The lessons of Autism. How do we connect like this?How do we connect like this?

Mirror NeuronsMirror Neurons

Your body in my brain.Your body in my brain. Actors as mirror neuron experts.Actors as mirror neuron experts. Networking brains.Networking brains. More lessons from Autism.More lessons from Autism. The Machiavellian mind.The Machiavellian mind. How did humans end up with this How did humans end up with this

awesome cognitive talent?awesome cognitive talent?

What’s ‘Our’ Story?What’s ‘Our’ Story?

Characters: Early Homonids between 1 Characters: Early Homonids between 1 million BP to Modern Humans.million BP to Modern Humans.

Settings: Africa, Europe, AsiaSettings: Africa, Europe, Asia Situation: The world effects us, and we Situation: The world effects us, and we

effect the world.effect the world. Action: Physical, Cognitive and Cultural Action: Physical, Cognitive and Cultural

adaptation over time.adaptation over time.

Important Theories of Important Theories of early Cognitive Evolution early Cognitive Evolution

Change in African climate leads to bipedalism.Change in African climate leads to bipedalism. Bipedalism allows for better escape and ability Bipedalism allows for better escape and ability

to hunt.to hunt. Domestication of fire leads early Hominids into Domestication of fire leads early Hominids into

closer social networks 1.4 million BP.closer social networks 1.4 million BP. Meat allows for growth of brain due to higher Meat allows for growth of brain due to higher

fat diet.fat diet. Increase in brain size, and resulting birthing Increase in brain size, and resulting birthing

bottleneck, drive increase in childhood.bottleneck, drive increase in childhood.

Early HominidsEarly Hominids

Homo HabillisHomo HabillisHomo HabillisHomo Habillis

Homo ErectusHomo Erectus

Homo HeidelbergensisHomo Heidelbergensis

Early Technical ProwessEarly Technical Prowess

Handaxe used for Handaxe used for 1 million years1 million years

Impose consistent Impose consistent form to bifaceform to biface

Many tools in oneMany tools in one

Early Climate ChangesEarly Climate Changes

Onset of ice ages transform Europe to tundra Onset of ice ages transform Europe to tundra and Africa to largely desert.and Africa to largely desert.

Drives hominids (H. Heidelbergensis) to Drives hominids (H. Heidelbergensis) to change.change.

African hominids become coast oriented African hominids become coast oriented (Sapiens). Drastic increase in tool variation.(Sapiens). Drastic increase in tool variation.

Euro hominids become largely carnivorous Euro hominids become largely carnivorous (Neanderthals). Some increase in tool (Neanderthals). Some increase in tool variation.variation.

Homo SapiensHomo Sapiens

• Show up about Show up about 200,000 BP200,000 BP

• Start radiating out of Start radiating out of Africa about 50,000BPAfrica about 50,000BP

• Bring a suite of new Bring a suite of new behaviors.behaviors.

Hominid PredatorsHominid Predators

Giant HyenasGiant Hyenas

Saber-toothed CatsSaber-toothed Cats

Other HominidsOther Hominids

What the Predators did?What the Predators did?

Minimized expansion of genus Homo out Minimized expansion of genus Homo out of Africa.of Africa.

Drove an increase in body and group Drove an increase in body and group size in hominids (Dunbar).size in hominids (Dunbar).

Teamwork leads to defeating mega-Teamwork leads to defeating mega-fauna.fauna.

How do we become team oriented?How do we become team oriented?

Us and ThemUs and Them

Altruism and Xenophobia emerges from in Altruism and Xenophobia emerges from in group out group relations.group out group relations.

Group cooperation selected for protection of Group cooperation selected for protection of resources and guarding against threats.resources and guarding against threats.

Empathy emerges in response to dealing with Empathy emerges in response to dealing with this mixture of social pressures from increased this mixture of social pressures from increased group size.group size.

Understanding your friends is as useful as Understanding your friends is as useful as understanding your competitors.understanding your competitors.

A Mind for SocializingA Mind for Socializing

Grooming is the root of socialization for Grooming is the root of socialization for mammals, especially primates.mammals, especially primates.

This is efficient for small groupsThis is efficient for small groups Larger groups require more energy grooming Larger groups require more energy grooming

to maintain social equilibrium.to maintain social equilibrium. Theory: language arises as a means to groom Theory: language arises as a means to groom

many at once to reduce energy cost (Dunbar).many at once to reduce energy cost (Dunbar). This requires an adept Machiavellian mind to This requires an adept Machiavellian mind to

be effective.be effective.

Art, Ritual and CreativityArt, Ritual and Creativity

The ability to symbol – a revolutionThe ability to symbol – a revolution Roots of religion lead to expanding social Roots of religion lead to expanding social

ties beyond blood or tribe (Hayden)ties beyond blood or tribe (Hayden) Ecstatic experience may be at the root of Ecstatic experience may be at the root of

religion and ritual (Hayden)religion and ritual (Hayden) Dancing, dreaming and drummingDancing, dreaming and drumming Where have these things gone?Where have these things gone?

TransformationsTransformations

Domestication of plants and animals Domestication of plants and animals leads to sedentism, which leads to leads to sedentism, which leads to surplus, which leads to specialistssurplus, which leads to specialists

Sedentism leads to concentrated Sedentism leads to concentrated populations and the birth of the urbanpopulations and the birth of the urban

Change in social structures and Change in social structures and subsistence lead to the shift in religionsubsistence lead to the shift in religion

What is religion?What is religion?

A system of symbols which acts to A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in [people] lasting moods and motivations in [people] by formulating conceptions of a general by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic (Geertz).seem uniquely realistic (Geertz).

Two types of religionTwo types of religion

Book religionBook religion: major world religions that : major world religions that have a scripture of some sort describing have a scripture of some sort describing supernatural beings and providing a supernatural beings and providing a moral codemoral code

Traditional religionTraditional religion: passed on from : passed on from generation to generation as oral and generation to generation as oral and experiential traditionsexperiential traditions

Urban GrowthUrban Growth

Necessitates new rules and new roles in Necessitates new rules and new roles in early societies.early societies.

These reflect the lives of urbanites.These reflect the lives of urbanites. Legends of heroes taming the wild.Legends of heroes taming the wild. Birth of humanoid gods.Birth of humanoid gods. The advent of a world that is known, The advent of a world that is known,

recorded and controlled.recorded and controlled.

Book Religion vs Book Religion vs Traditional ReligionTraditional Religion

WorldviewWorldview BookBook: Sacred is largely removed from : Sacred is largely removed from

Material World.Material World. TraditionalTraditional: Sacred is Material World.: Sacred is Material World.

Ecstatic ExperienceEcstatic Experience BookBook: Individual ecstatic experience frowned : Individual ecstatic experience frowned

upon, discouraged, cloistered awayupon, discouraged, cloistered away TraditionalTraditional: ecstatic states are : ecstatic states are thethe religious religious

experience.experience.

Book Religion vs Book Religion vs Traditional ReligionTraditional Religion

ParticipationParticipation BookBook: more a spectator event. As long as : more a spectator event. As long as

correct words are said and correct things are correct words are said and correct things are done, the ritual is successful.done, the ritual is successful.

TraditionalTraditional: open for everyone’s active : open for everyone’s active participation (food, dance, music, participation (food, dance, music, preparations, etc). emotional involvement preparations, etc). emotional involvement and transformation of consciousness is and transformation of consciousness is essential to ritual success.essential to ritual success.

Ritual BehaviorRitual Behavior

1.1. Is structured and patterned;Is structured and patterned;2.2. Is rhythmic and repetitive (to some degree), Is rhythmic and repetitive (to some degree),

tends to recur in the same or nearly the same tends to recur in the same or nearly the same form with some regularity;form with some regularity;

3.3. Acts to synchronize affective, perceptual-Acts to synchronize affective, perceptual-cognitive, and motor processes within the cognitive, and motor processes within the central nervous system of individuals;central nervous system of individuals;

4.4. Most particularly, synchronizes these Most particularly, synchronizes these processes among the various individual processes among the various individual participantsparticipants

Improvisation as RitualImprovisation as Ritual

Much closer in character to Traditional Much closer in character to Traditional ReligionsReligions

Yet, Not a religion at allYet, Not a religion at all Structures and activities very ritual-likeStructures and activities very ritual-like Produces similar effects to ritualProduces similar effects to ritual What are the effects of ritual?What are the effects of ritual?

Ritual and the BrainRitual and the Brain

Normal cognition: brain hemispheres fire Normal cognition: brain hemispheres fire alternatelyalternately

Ritual Communitas: hemispheres fire Ritual Communitas: hemispheres fire simultaneously (d’Aquili & Laughlin 1979)simultaneously (d’Aquili & Laughlin 1979)

Ecstatic states open the door for Right Ecstatic states open the door for Right Hemisphere to leadHemisphere to lead

Right hemisphere includes spatial and tonal Right hemisphere includes spatial and tonal perception, internal pattern recognition (our perception, internal pattern recognition (our thoughts and those of others), and holistic and thoughts and those of others), and holistic and synthetic comprehension (Rappaport 1999)synthetic comprehension (Rappaport 1999)

Full CircleFull Circle

Group mind/Communitas is truly a Group mind/Communitas is truly a synchronization of minds (d’Aquili & synchronization of minds (d’Aquili & Laughlin 1979)Laughlin 1979)

Much of Improvised Theater has Much of Improvised Theater has ritualistic activities or ritual structureritualistic activities or ritual structure

Theater exercises (improv AND scripted) Theater exercises (improv AND scripted) help exercise our mirror neuron systems help exercise our mirror neuron systems (the roots of our ability to empathize)(the roots of our ability to empathize)

Tell the StoryTell the Story

Improv has grown beyond art fancyImprov has grown beyond art fancy All levels of education exploring improvAll levels of education exploring improv Applied Improvisation spreading the word Applied Improvisation spreading the word

to business and non-profit outreachto business and non-profit outreach This is grass roots social rebootingThis is grass roots social rebooting Reintroduces the value of collaborative Reintroduces the value of collaborative

living to an increasingly disparate world.living to an increasingly disparate world.

Next StepsNext Steps

Turn this talk into a book.Turn this talk into a book. EEG research on improv performersEEG research on improv performers Discern brain activity during Discern brain activity during

improvisational play for an empirical improvisational play for an empirical comparison.comparison.

Special Thanks to:Special Thanks to:

AIN and the Amsterdam team for hosting.AIN and the Amsterdam team for hosting. Family, Friends and Colleagues in Family, Friends and Colleagues in

Portland and abroad who provided funds Portland and abroad who provided funds and other support to make this trip and and other support to make this trip and presentation possible.presentation possible.

ReferencesReferencesAnnual Review of Neuroscience, 2004. 27:169-92 Annual Review of Neuroscience, 2004. 27:169-92 “The Mirror-Neuron “The Mirror-Neuron System” Giacomo Rizzolatti and Laila CraigheroSystem” Giacomo Rizzolatti and Laila Craighero  Current Directions in Psychological Science, Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol. 16 Number 3Vol. 16 Number 3 “Mirror Neurons and the Evolution of Embodied Language” Leonardo “Mirror Neurons and the Evolution of Embodied Language” Leonardo Fogassi and Pier Francesco FerrariFogassi and Pier Francesco Ferrari The Wall Street Journal, (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Mar 4, The Wall Street Journal, (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Mar 4, 2005 pg. B.12005 pg. B.1 “How Mirror Neurons Help Us to Empathize, Really Feel “How Mirror Neurons Help Us to Empathize, Really Feel Others’ Pain” Sharon BegleyOthers’ Pain” Sharon Begley

Brain, Behavior and Evolution, Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 2002, Vol. 59 Issue ½, “Evolution of 2002, Vol. 59 Issue ½, “Evolution of Human Intelligence: The Roles of Brain Size and Mental Construction” Human Intelligence: The Roles of Brain Size and Mental Construction” pp.10-20pp.10-20

University Of California, San Diego. "Autism Linked To Mirror University Of California, San Diego. "Autism Linked To Mirror Neuron Dysfunction."Neuron Dysfunction."  ScienceDailyScienceDaily 18 April 2005. 8 July 2009  18 April 2005. 8 July 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com  /releases/2005/04/050411204511.htm>.<http://www.sciencedaily.com  /releases/2005/04/050411204511.htm>.

ReferencesReferencesSociety For Neuroscience. "Mirror, Mirror In The Brain: Mirror Neurons, Self-Society For Neuroscience. "Mirror, Mirror In The Brain: Mirror Neurons, Self-understanding And Autism Research."understanding And Autism Research."  ScienceDailyScienceDaily 7 November 2007. 8 July  7 November 2007. 8 July 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com  /releases/2007/11/071106123725.htm>.2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com  /releases/2007/11/071106123725.htm>.

European Science Foundation. "How Mirror Neurons Allow Us To Learn And European Science Foundation. "How Mirror Neurons Allow Us To Learn And Socialize By Going Through The Motions In The Head."Socialize By Going Through The Motions In The Head."  ScienceDailyScienceDaily 21  21 December 2008. 8 July 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com  December 2008. 8 July 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com  /releases/2008/12/081219073047.htm>./releases/2008/12/081219073047.htm>.

University of California - Los AngelesUniversity of California - Los Angeles (2010, April 13). “First direct recording (2010, April 13). “First direct recording made of mirror neurons in human brain.” made of mirror neurons in human brain.” ScienceDailyScienceDaily. Retrieved May 5, 2010, . Retrieved May 5, 2010, from <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100412162112.htm>from <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100412162112.htm> Washington University School of Medicine.Washington University School of Medicine. "Baby Brain Growth Mirrors "Baby Brain Growth Mirrors Changes from Apes to Humans." Changes from Apes to Humans." ScienceDailyScienceDaily 12 July 2010. 13 July 2010  12 July 2010. 13 July 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712154422.htm>.<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712154422.htm>.

““The Evolution of Imagination: An Archeological Perspective”, The Evolution of Imagination: An Archeological Perspective”, Stephen Stephen Mithen. 2001. Mithen. 2001. Substance,Substance, Vol. 30, No. ½, Issue 94/95. pp. 28-54 Vol. 30, No. ½, Issue 94/95. pp. 28-54

ReferencesReferencesThe Prehistory of the Mind. The Prehistory of the Mind. Stephen Mithen, 1996: London. Thames and Stephen Mithen, 1996: London. Thames and Hudson.Hudson.

Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language.Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language. Dunbar, Robin. 1996. Dunbar, Robin. 1996. Harvard University Press: Cambridge.Harvard University Press: Cambridge.

Children of the Ice Age: How a Global Catastrophe allowed Humans to Children of the Ice Age: How a Global Catastrophe allowed Humans to EvolveEvolve.. Stanley, Steven M. 1998. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York. Stanley, Steven M. 1998. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York.

Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and other Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and other animals. animals. Frans De Waal. 1996. Harvard University Press: CambridgeFrans De Waal. 1996. Harvard University Press: Cambridge

Shamans, Sorcerers and Saints: A Prehistory of Religion.Shamans, Sorcerers and Saints: A Prehistory of Religion. Brian Hayden. 2003. Brian Hayden. 2003. Smithsonian Books: WashingtonSmithsonian Books: Washington

A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness: From Impostor Poodles to Purple A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness: From Impostor Poodles to Purple NumbersNumbers, by V.S. Ramachadran. New York: Pi Press, 2004., by V.S. Ramachadran. New York: Pi Press, 2004.

Long-Form Improvisation: Collaboration, Comedy and Communion. Long-Form Improvisation: Collaboration, Comedy and Communion. Brad Brad Fortier. 2010. Lambert Academic Publishing: SaarbrückenFortier. 2010. Lambert Academic Publishing: Saarbrücken

Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Rappaport, R.A. 1999. Rappaport, R.A. 1999. Cambridge: Cambridge University PressCambridge: Cambridge University Press