Do that voodoo that you do so well

Do that voodoo that you do so well


Voodoo dolls work. Science tells us so. Just not in the way you think.

A recent study published in the journal Leadership Quarterly suggests that voodoo dolls could be used by employees as a way to harmlessly release a little steam when feeling put upon by a nasty boss.

The thinking is that it is better to stick a pin into a voodoo doll than to get angry and do something that might get you fired, like calling your boss a blithering buffoon on Twitter. Less stress makes for a happier work environment and promotes emotional well-being.

Perhaps it won’t surprise you that the search for truth about voodoo dolls began on a website called Dumb.com. There, the researchers found a virtual voodoo doll that squeals when tormented by pins and other implements.

Researchers paid a group of employees working in the U.S. and Canada $1 to recall an abusive workplace incident and then abuse the voodoo doll for one minute. They put the bad boss’ initials in the box atop the animation.

It might surprise you that this is not the first voodoo doll study in scientific literature. Previous research has even provided a scientific name to this type of experiment: The “voodoo doll task paradigm.”

The researchers found that playing with the voodoo doll deactivates perceptions of injustice. The study concluded this shows that harmless acts of symbolic retaliation against an abusive supervisor can be beneficial. That voodoo you do thus helps both you … and your boss.

Now, don’t pull up that online voodoo doll simulation just yet. It’s always a good idea to check with your human resources department first to ensure that your employer allows the practice of voodoo on company time.

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