Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2xdlg Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-03T11:23:51.834Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Towards a Biological Theory of the Body in Performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2009

Jean-Marie Pradier
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In previous issues of NTQ. we have begun to explore the complex questions raised by the interaction of the study of theatrical performance with other disciplines – notably, in the various interpretations of ‘theatre anthropology’, in the widely divergent approaches to ‘theatre sociology’, and even in terms of its application to quantum theory. Many of these studies have made necessary assumptions in the area of human biology without, however, fully following through their implications. Jean-Marie Pradier. who teaches in the Drama Department of the University of Paris 8, here looks at theatre and other modes of performance as ‘biological events’, exploring their importance in the manifestation (and correction) of the way the human body works – in the process touching on areas as diverse as the bio-dramatic function of dreams, the significance of neo-natal rhythms, and olfactory stimulation as one of the influences upon crowd behaviour. Acknowledging the need for further research in the field. Pradier argues for the importance of the ‘body in performance’ being perceived in its biological context.

Type
Research Article
Information
New Theatre Quarterly , Volume 6 , Issue 21 , February 1990 , pp. 86 - 98
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akil, Huda, Watson, Stanley J., Young, Elizabeth, Lewis, Michael E., Khachaturian, Henry, and Walker, J. Michael (1984), ‘Endogenous Opioids: Biology and Function’, Annual Reviews: Neuro-sciences, VII, p. 223–55.Google Scholar
Amalric, Marianne (1987), ‘Les Opiacés: rôle dans les processus de renforcement’, Annaks de la Fondation Fyssen, No 3, 3ème trim., p. 51–8.Google Scholar
Barash, David P. (1986), The Hare and the Tortoise: Culture, Biology and Human Nature (Penguin Books).Google Scholar
Barba, Eugenio (1981), lecture given in Warsaw in May 1980, published in Dialog, Warsaw, April 1981 (‘Theatre Anthropology: First Hypothesis’); and in Barba, Beyond the Floating Islands (New York: PAJ Publications, p. 115).Google Scholar
Barba, Eugenio (1986), Beyond the Floating Islands (New York: PAJ Publications).Google Scholar
Barba, Eugenio, and Savarese, N. (1983), Anatotnia del teatro: un dizionario di antropologia teatrale (La Casa Usher).Google Scholar
Baron, J. B. (1972), ‘Tonic Postural Activity and Motor Imagination’, Agressologie (Paris: Masson), p. 95–101.Google Scholar
Bijeljac-Babic, Ranka (1978), Langage et activite tonique posturale: aspect psychophysiologique et psycholinguistique, thèse de 3ème cycle, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, 14 11, p. 41.Google Scholar
Bloch, Susana, Orthous, Pedro, and Santibanez-H, Guy (1987), ‘Effector Patterns of Basic Emotions: a Psychophysiological Method for Training Actors’, I. Social Biol. Struct., X, 1, p. 19.Google Scholar
Bloom, F. E., ed. (1988), Brain, Mind and Behavior (New York: Freeman).Google Scholar
Bowlby, J. (1969), Attachment and Loss, Vol. 1 (Hogarth Press); (1976) Vol. 2; (1979) ‘Note sur le contexte historique de la théorie de l'attachement’, in René Zazzo, ed., Le Colloque sur l'Attachement, 2ème ed. (Delachaux et Niestlé).Google Scholar
Byers, Paul (1976), ‘Biological Rhythms as Information Channels in Interpersonal Communication Behavior’, Perspectives in Ethology II, Bateson, P. P. G. and Klopfer, H., eds. (New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation), p. 135–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cagan, Robert H., and Kare, Morley R., eds. (1981), Biochemistry of Taste and Olfaction: Papers from a Symposium, Philadelphia, Apr. 1980 (New York: Academic Pres, Nutrition Foundation Monograph Series).Google Scholar
Changeux, Jean-Pierre (1985), The Neuronal Man (Pantheon Books), p. 227.Google Scholar
Ciochon, Russel L., and Fleagle, John G. (1985), Primate Evolution and Human Origins. Menlo Park. CA: Benjamin/Cummings.Google Scholar
Condon, William S., and Sander, Louis W. (1974), ‘Neonate Movement Is Synchronized with Adult Speech: Interactional Participation and Language Acquisition’, Science, CLXXXIII, 11 01, p. 99–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Danchin, A. (1978), ‘Spécification épigénétique des réseaux nerveux par stabilisation fonctionnelle de synapses en développement’, Neurobiologie de l'apprentissage, Delacour, J., ed. (Paris: Masson), p. 207.Google Scholar
Davis, Martha, ed. (1982), Interactions Rhythms: Periodicity in a Communicative Behavior (New York: Human Sciences Press).Google Scholar
Davis, Martha, and Skupien, Janet (1981), The Nonverbal Communication Literature 1971–1980: an Annotated Bibliography of the Behavioral Study of Body Movement (Arno Press).Google Scholar
Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Irenaus (1984), Grundiss der Vergleichenden Verhaltensforschung, 1967, third ed. in French, 1984; as The Biology of Behavior (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970).Google Scholar
Ekman, Paul, Levenson, Robert W., and Friesen, Wallace V. (1983), ‘Autonomic Nervous System Activity Distinguishes Among Emotions’, Science, CCXXI, 16 09, p. 1208—10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Exline, R. V., Ellyson, S. L., and Long, B. (1975), ‘Visual Behavior as an Aspect of Power Role Relationships’, in Nonverbal Communication of Aggression, Pliner, P., Krames, L., Alloway, T., eds. (New York: Plenum), p. 21–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fox, Robert, and McDaniel, Cynthia (1982), ‘The Perception of Biological Motion by Human Infants’, Science, CCXVIII, 29 10, p. 486–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frijda, Nico H. (1986), The Emotions: Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction (Cambridge University Press, Editions de la Maison des Sciences de l'Homme).Google Scholar
Gachelin, Gabriel (1986 a), ‘Emotions et immunité’, La Recherche, XVII, No. 177, mai, p. 662–6;Google Scholar
(1986 b) in McDougall, J., Gachelin, G., Aulagnier, P., Marty, P., Loriod, J., and Cain, J., Corps et histoire: IVe rencontres psychanalytiques d'Aix-en-Provence, 1985 (Belles Lettres).Google Scholar
Gazzaniga, Michael S. (1985), The Social Brain: Discovering the Networks of the Mind (New York: Basic Books), p. 4.Google Scholar
Gevins, Alan S., Morgan, Nelson H., Bressler, Steven L., Cutillo, Brian A., White, Rose Ann M., Illes, Judy, Greer, Douglas S., Doyle, Joseph C., and Zeitlin, Gerald M. (1987), ‘Human Neuroelectric Patterns Predict Performance Accuracy’, Science, CCXXXV, 30 01, p. 580–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldstein, Avram (1980), ‘Thrills in Response to Music and Other Stimuli’, Physiological Psychology, VIII, 1, p. 126–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gower, Hancock, and Bannister, (1981), in Biochemistry of Taste and Olfaction: Papers from a Symposium, Philadelphia, Apr. 1980, Cagan, Robert H. and Kare, Morley R., eds. (New York: Academic Press, Nutrition Foundation Monograph Series).Google Scholar
Greenberg, Stephen (1986), ‘Is Musical Pitch Based on a Neural Time Code?’, lecture, University of Wisconsin, 30 June (Paris: I.R.C.A.M.).Google Scholar
Herbinet, Etienne, and Busnel, Marie Claire, eds. (1981), L'Aube des sens: ouvrage collectif sur les perceptions sensorielles foetales et néonatales, Les Cahiers du Nouveau-né (Paris: Stock).Google Scholar
Hildreth, Ellen C., and Koch, Christof (1987), ‘The Analysis of Visual Motion: From Computational Theory to Neuronal Mechanisms’, Annual Reviews: Neurosciences, X, p. 477–533.Google Scholar
Hobson, J. Allan (1988), The Dreaming Brain (New York: Basic Books).Google Scholar
Jemmot, J. P. III et al. , (1983), Lancet, I, 1, p. 1400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johansson, G. (1973), ‘Visual Perception of Biological Motion and a Model for its Analysis’, Perception and Psychophysics, XIV, p. 201–211;CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johanson, G. (1950) Configurations in Event Perception (Uppsala: Almquist and Wiksell).Google Scholar
Kirk-Smith, Michael, Booth, D. A., Caroll, D., and Davies, P. (1978), ‘Human Social Attitudes Affected by Androstenol’, Research Communications in Psychology, Psychiatry and Behavior, III, 4, p. 379–84.Google Scholar
La Barre, Weston (1978), ‘Psychoanalysis and the Biology of Religion’, journal of Psychological Anthropology, I, 1, p. 57–64.Google Scholar
Laborit, Henri (1986), L'Inhibition de 1'action-biologie comportementale et physio-pathologie (Masson: Presses de l'Un. de Montréal);Google Scholar
Laborit, Henri (1984) ‘The Complexity of Interdependence in Living Systems’, The Science in Praxis of Complexity. Contribution to the Symposium of the United Nations University (Montpellier), p. 146–52;Google Scholar
Laborit, Henri (1982) ‘Le Geste et la parole: le théâtre vu dans l'optique de la biologie des comportements’, Degrés, Bruxelles, 29: B1-b24;Google Scholar
Laborit, Henri (1980) ‘Le Théâtre dans l'optique de la biologie des comportements’, Agressologie, Masson, XXI, 1, p. 1–5.Google Scholar
Lewiston, N. J., ed. (1984), Impact of Psychoendocrine Systems in Cancer and Immunity (New York: C. J. Hogrefe).Google Scholar
Lex, Barbara (1979), ‘Neurobiology of Ritual Trance’, The Spectrum of Rituals, d'Aquili, E. et al. , eds. (Columbia University Press), p. 117–51.Google Scholar
Lorenz, Konrad (1943), ‘Die angeborenen Formen mùglicher Erfahrung’, Z. Tierpsychol., V, p. 235–409.Google Scholar
Manley, A. Paulos, and Tessei, Richard E. (1982), ‘Excretion of Bêta-Phenethylamine is Elevated in Humans after Profound Stress’, Science, CCXV (26 02), p. 1127–9.Google Scholar
Mather, Monica H., and Roitberg, Bernard D. (1987), ‘A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing: Tephritid Flies Mimic Spider Predators’, Science. CCXXXVI (17 04), 308–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mauss, Marcel (1936), ‘Les Techniques du corps’, communication présentée à la Société de Psychologie, le 17 mai 1934, Journal de Psychologie, XXXII (15 mars–15 avril).Google Scholar
Meltzoff, Andrew N. (1988 a), ‘Imitation, Objects, Tools, and the Rudiments of Language in Human Ontogeny’, Human Evolution, III, 1–2 (45–64);Google Scholar
Meltzoff, Andrew N. (1988 b) ‘Infant Imitation after a One-Week Delay: Long-Term Memory for Novel Acts and Multiple Stimuli’, Developmental Psychology, XXIV, 4, p. 470–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Montagu, Ashley (1986), Touching: the Human Significance of the Skin, 3rd edition (Harper and Row: Perennial Library), p. 144, 175–6;Google Scholar
Montagu, Ashley (1959) ‘Natural Selection and the Origin and Evolution of Weeping in Man’, Science, CXXX (4 12), p. 1572–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore-Ede, Martin C., Sulzman, Frank M., and Fuller, Charles A. (1982), The Clocks that Time Us: Physiology of the Circadian Timing System (Harvard University Press).Google Scholar
Müller, Eugenio E. (1987), ‘Neural Control of Somatotropic Function’, Physiological Reviews, LVII, 3 (07).Google Scholar
Olds, James (1956), ‘Pleasure Centers in the Brain’, Scientific American, CXCV, 4, p. 105–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oster, Gerald, and Jaffe, Joshua S. (1980), ‘Low Frequency Sounds from Sustained Contraction of Human Skeletal Muscle’, Biophysical Journal, XXX, 1, 04, p. 119–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Panksepp, J. (1981), ‘Hypothalamic Integration of Behavior’, in Morgane, P. J. and Panksepp, J., eds., Handbook of the Hypothalamus. III, Part B (New York: Marcel Dekker).Google Scholar
Patey, G., and Rosier, J. (1986), ‘Découverte, anatomie et biosynthèse des différentes families des peptides opioides endogènes’, Annales d'Endocrinologie, Paris, XLVII, p. 71–87.Google Scholar
Poggio, Tomaso, and Koch, Christof (1987), ‘Synapses That compute Motion’, Scientific American, 05, p. 42–8.Google Scholar
Perrett, David I., Mistlin, Amanda J., and Chitty, Andrew J. (1987), ‘Visual Neurones Responsive to Faces’, Trends in Neurosciences, X, 9, p. 358–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1989), ‘Eléments d'une physiologie de la séduction’, in Le Téléspectateur face à la publicité: l'oeil, l'oreille, le cerveau (Paris: Nathan Université);Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1988 a) ‘Commentaries on Effector Patterns of Basic Emotions’, Journal of Social and Biological Structures (Academic Press), XI, p. 205–7;Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1988 b) ‘Les Corps séducteurs’, Colloque international: la sociologie de la vie quotidietnne (La Sorbonne: Sociologie du Corps, in press);Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1988 c) ‘Le Public et son corps: de quelques données paradoxales de la communication théâtrale’, First World Congress of the Theatre Sociology (Roma: Bulzone Editore);Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1988 d) ‘Mémoires Extérieurs: 1STA Salento 1987’, Bouffonneries (in press);Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie(1987 a) ‘L'Economie de la dépense’, Bouffonneries: l'énergie de l'acteur, anthropologie théâtrale, II, 15–16 p. 181–7;Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1987 b) ‘Anatomie de I'acteur’, Théâtre/Public, 76–77, p. 35–44;Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1986) ‘L'Apprentissage de l'acteur: aspects’, Internationale de l'maginaire, Maison des Cultures du Monde, 6–7, p. 84–96Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1985 a) ‘Bio-logique et sémio-logique: de la structure du vivant à la vie du sens’, Degrès, 42–43, d1–d16Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1985 b) ‘Drama and Biology’: Proceedings of the One-Day Conference, 15 03 1985: The Artist and the Community (St. Albans: Division of Arts and Psychology, Hertfordshire College of Art and Design)Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1984) ‘Hacia una antropologia teatral’, Maldoror: Teatro y Teoria, Montevideo, 7–18, p. 27–34Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1983) ‘El aprendizaje del actor visto desde una perspectiva neurobiologica’, Escenica: revista de teatro de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, I, 4–5, p. 10–17Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1982) ‘Theatrum Scientiae/Scientia Theatri: interrogations et propositions’, Degrès, 29, e1–e12Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1981) ‘Vers une anthropologie théâtrale’, Agressologie, XXII, 4, p. 139–42Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1980 a) ‘Scienza’, Enciclopedia del Teatro del '900, Attisani, Antonio, ed. (Feltrinelli)Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1980 b) ‘L'lsta o la maquette’, La Scuola degli Attori, Ruffini, Franco, ed. (La Casa Usher, Oggi del teatro. 2)Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1980 c) Le Faux, le vrai et le secret: contribution à l'analyse du rapport discours comportement dans l'apprentissage du théâtre, Thèse pour le doctorat d'Etat, Université de Paris 8Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1979 a) ‘Fondements biologiques du théâtre’, Livre sur l'acteur (Novi Sad: Sterijino Pozorje)Google Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1979 b) ‘Fondamenti biologici del teatro’, Scena, 3–4, IVGoogle Scholar
Pradier, Jean-Marie (1979 c) ‘Colloque sur les aspects scientifiques du théâtre’, International Theatre Information, UNESCO, automne, p. 3–4.Google Scholar
Prosser, Clifford Ladd (1986), Adaptational Biology: Molecules to Organisms (John Wiley), p. 747.Google Scholar
Reissland, Nadja (1988), ‘Neonatal Imitation in the First Hour of Life: Observations in Rural Nepal’, Developmental Psychology, XXIV, 4, p. 464–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reznikoff, Iégor (1987), cited in Monod, Théodore, ‘Préhistoire (acoustique): sur la dimension sonore des grottes à peintures du paléolithique’, C. R. Académie des Sciences de Paris, t. 304, Série II, 3, p. 153–6.Google Scholar
Routtenberg, Aryeh, and Santos-Anderson, Rebecca (1977), ‘The Role of Prefrontal Cortex in Intracranial Self-Stimulation’, Handbook of Psychopharmacology, VIII, ed. Iversen, Leslie L., Iversen, Susan D., and Snyder, Salomon H. (Plenum Press, 1977).Google Scholar
Schechner, Richard (1985), Between Theater and Anthropology (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schechner, Richard (1977), ‘Ethology and Theatre’, in Essays on Performance Theory, 1970–1976 (New York: Drama Book Specialists), p. 157–201Google Scholar
Scherer, Klaus R. (1982), ‘Emotion as a Process: Function, Origin, and Regulation’, Social Science Information (London: Sage), XXI, 4–5, p. 555–70.Google Scholar
Singer, Wolf (1988), ‘Commentaries on “Effector Patterns of Basic Emotions”’, Journal of Biological and Social Structures, XI, p. 208.Google Scholar
Smith, Orville A., and DeVito, June L. (1984), ‘Central Neural Integration for the Control of Automatic Responses Associated with Emotion’, Annual Reviews: Neurosciences, VII, p. 43–65.Google Scholar
Smith-Churchland, Patricia (1986), Neurophilosophy: Toward a Unified Science of the Mind-Brain (Cambridge: MIT Press).Google Scholar
Turner, Victor (1986), The Anthropology of Performance (New York: PAJ Publications)Google Scholar
Turner, Victor (1982) From Ritual to Theatre: the Human Seriousness of Play (New York: PAJ Publications).Google Scholar
Turner, V. W., and Bruner, E. M., eds. (1986), The Anthropology of Experience (Urbana: University of Illinois Press).Google Scholar
Vincent, Jean-Didier (1986), Biologie des passions (Edit. Odile Jacob/Seuil), p. 25.Google Scholar
Waukier, A., and Rolls, E. T., eds. (1976), Brain Stimulation Reward (North Holland Publishing).Google Scholar
Weisz, Gabriel C. (1983), ‘Postmodernismo Rito y Biologia’, Escenica, Mexico, 4–5, p. 5–9Google Scholar
Weisz, Gabriel C. (1984) El Cerebro Ritual, brochure collective du seminario de Investigaciones Etnodramaticas de I'UNAM, Mexico.Google Scholar
Wiener, Harry (1979), ‘Human Exocrinology: the Olfactory Component of Nonverbal Communication’, in Weitz, Shirley, ed., Nonverbal Communication: Readings with Commentary (Oxford University Press), p. 338–45.Google Scholar
Winson, Jonathan (1986), Brain and Psyche: the Biology of the Unconscious (Vintage Books).Google Scholar
Zahn-Waxler, Carolyn, Cummings, E. Mark, and Lannoti, Ronald, eds. (1986), Altruism and Aggression: Biological and Social Origins, Cambridge Studies in Social and Emotional Development (New York: Cambridge University Press).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zazzo, René, ed. (1979), Le Colloque sur l'atiachement, 2ème ed. (Delachaux et Niestlé).Google Scholar
Zivin, Gail, ed. (1985), The Development of Expressive Behavior: Biology-Environment Interactions (Academic Press), p. 5.Google Scholar