Latah : a culture-specific elaboration of the startle reflex

Duration: 0:39:00

Genre: Documentary | Ethnographic

Year Published: 1982

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Description: Examines the clearly defined social role developed in a Malaysian culture for individuals who startle strongly and easily. These latahs, as they are called, are typically older females who, when repeatedly startled, become agitated to a trancelike state. When in this latah state, they may say things that are otherwise taboo, obey forcefully given commands no matter how extreme, or match the behaviors of others no matter how foolish. Despite the fact that among all populations some individuals startle more readily and intensely than others, few cultures have defined specific social roles for hyperstartlers. Produced by Ronald Simons, M.D., M.A. with support from the H. F. Guggenheim Foundation and under the auspices of the Institut Penyelidkan Perubatan in Malaysia.

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