LEVYNA conducted field research in Mauritius
As is our good tradition, LEVYNA members conducted a research trip to Mauritius in May 2025.
This year’s Mauritian expedition combined research with rich cultural immersion.
Witchcraft, Envy, and Norm Enforcement in Mauritius
In a new study published in Human Nature, LEVYNA was part of a team lead by A.K. Willard, studying how witchcraft beliefs affect social norms and behaviors. Specifically, researchers investigated whether witchcraft is regarded to be motivated by envy and how this notion influences community interactions. The findings show that, while witchcraft accusations were common, they were mostly directed at persons suspected of acting out of envy.
The study also compared fears of witchcraft to religious moral frameworks, discovering that belief in witches reinforces narrow local norms rather than larger religious morality. Two investigations involving 737 participants revealed that norm breaches connected to envy were more likely to be attributed to witchcraft, whereas selfish acts were associated with divine punishment.
The authors argue that those accused of witchcraft are frequently seen as less trustworthy, resulting in reputational damage. Fear of being accused prevents acts that may cause jealousy, such as boasting or showing money. Witchcraft beliefs help to control jealous behavior, while religious beliefs uphold universal moral principles like justice and charity. This study highlights how witchcraft beliefs function as a form of localized social control, shaping trust and interactions within communities.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12110-024-09484-4
