The word "ritualistically" in the last paragraph e

单项选择题

passage two Most of us are taught to pay attention to what is said—thewords. Words do provide us with some information, butmeanings are derived from so many other sources that it wouldhinder our effectiveness as a partner to a relationship to rely tooheavily on words alone. Words are used to describe only a smallpart of the many ideas we associate with any given message.Sometimes we can gain insight into some of those associationsif we listen for more than words. We don’t always say what wemean or mean what we say. Sometimes our words don’t meananything except " I’m letting off some steam. I don’t really want you to pay close attention towhat I’m saying. Just pay attention to what I’m feeling." Mostly we mean several things at once. Aperson wanting to purchase a house says to the current owner, "This step has to be fixed beforeI’ll buy." The owner says, " It’s been like that for years." Actually, the step hasn’t been like that foryears, but the unspoken message is: " I don’t want to fix it. We put up with it. Why can’t you"The search for a more expansive view of meaning can be developed of examining a message interms of who said it, when it occurred, the related conditions or situation, and how it was said. 　　When a message occurs can also reveal associated meaning. Let us assume two couples do exactlythe same amount of kissing and arguing. But one couple always kisses after an argument and theother couple always argues after a kiss. The ordering of the behaviors may mean a great dealmore than the frequency of the behavior. A friend’s unusually docile behavior may only beunderstood by noting that it was preceded by situations that required an abnormal amount ofassertiveness. Some responses may be directly linked to a developing pattern of responses anddefy logic. For example, a person who says "No!" to a serials of charges like "You’re dumb," "You’re lazy," and "You’re dishonest," may also say "No!" and try to justify his or her response ifthe next statement is "And you’re good looking." 　　We would do well to listen for how messages are presented. The words, "If sure has been nice tohave you over," can be said with emphasis and excitement or ritualistically. The phrase can be saidonce or repeated several times. And the meanings we associate with the phrase will changeaccordingly. Sometimes if we say something infrequently it assumes more importance; sometimesthe more we say something the less importance it assumes.

The word "ritualistically" in the last paragraph equals something done___.

A．without true intention.
B．light-heartedly.
C．in a way of ceremony.
D．with less emphasis.