A Study in the Psychology of Ritualism: A Dissertation, Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Literature in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Published in 1910, this dissertation was authored by Frederick Goodrich Henke to fulfill the requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Chicago. It emerged from the rigorous academic environment of the early 20th century, a period when the burgeoning field of psychology was increasingly applied to the study of religious experiences and social behaviors. Henke focused his research on the psychological underpinnings of ritualism, seeking to categorize and explain the internal motivations that lead individuals and societies to perform repetitive, structured ceremonial acts.

The work reflects the structural expectations of academic publishing in the pre-war era, prioritizing a methodical, analytical approach to complex theological and behavioral themes. As a doctoral submission, it was designed to contribute original research to the university's Department of Philosophy, acting as both a gateway for Henke's professional career and a specialized resource for fellow scholars of the period. While it remains a niche volume within the historical study of psychology, its design and prose exemplify the formal, scholarly discourse typical of early twentieth-century American graduate studies.