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Stress and sorcery in three social groups.

W W Dressler

    The International Journal of Social Psychiatry
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Culture change stress is linked to sorcery beliefs, which may act as a coping mechanism. This study found substantial support for the hypothesis, with one group showing a reversed relationship.

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    Area of Science:

    • Psychology
    • Anthropology
    • Sociology

    Background:

    • Culture change introduces stressors impacting individuals and communities.
    • Belief in sorcery is often explored as a cultural response to adversity.
    • Understanding the psychological functions of such beliefs is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To test the hypothesis linking stress from culture change to increased belief in sorcery.
    • To examine if sorcery beliefs serve as a culturally constituted defense mechanism against stressors.

    Main Methods:

    • The study surveyed three distinct social groups.
    • Two different measures assessed stress factors associated with culture change.
    • Belief in sorcery was quantified and analyzed in relation to stress levels.

    Main Results:

    • The general hypothesis received substantial empirical support across groups.
    • A reversed direction of the relationship between stress and sorcery beliefs was observed in one social group.
    • Findings indicate a complex interplay between cultural stress and supernatural belief systems.

    Conclusions:

    • Stress associated with culture change appears significantly related to sorcery beliefs.
    • These beliefs may function as a psychological coping strategy for individuals facing cultural disruption.
    • Further research is needed to explore the nuances of this relationship across diverse cultural contexts.

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