Witchcraft, Envy, and Norm Enforcement in Mauritius

Abstract

Recent research has shown that an array of religious beliefs can be used to enforce a variety of social norms, but the application of these theories to other supernatural beliefs, including witchcraft, is still nascent. Across two pre-registered studies, we examine how witchcraft can enforce norms around envy and prevent envy in others in Mauritius. All data was collected in-person in Mauritius. In study 1 (N = 445), we found that both practicing witchcraft and being motivated by envy or self-interest increase perceptions of harm. These motivations, but predominantly envy, also increase the rate with which people suggest a person is doing witchcraft. Belief that someone is doing magic increases the negativity with which one views that person and damages their reputation. In study 2 (N = 292), we found that when a person breaks a norm around causing envy in others, a subsequent misfortune is more likely to be believed caused by witchcraft, but not God, whereas when someone acts selfishly towards others a subsequent misfortune is more likely to be caused by God but not witchcraft. This suggests that witchcraft beliefs, but not religious ones, are enforcing norms around preventing envy. Together, these studies suggest that witchcraft beliefs can support locally specific social norms, and that these norms might be different than those supported by religion.