Unbitten, yet undeterred the Salem witch trials as a demandpull phenomenon

• Published in: Humanomics Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 285 - 292
• Main Authors: Mixon, Franklin G., King, Ernest W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 31.10.2008
• Subjects: Demand management; History; Organizations; Rents; United States of America
• ISSN: 0828-8666
• DOI: 10.1108/08288660810917169

Purpose In a relatively new and interesting study, a new theory was offered to explain events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692. According to the author of that study Carlson, the behavior of the accusers can be explained by an outbreak of encephalitis. The purpose of this paper is to offer evidence that contradicts that hypothesis. Designmethodologyapproach To these ends, this paper examines life expectancy data from the Wigglesworth 1789 life expectancy tables to reject the Carlson thesis. The current study also provides a graphical exposition of the Salem witch trials as a demandpull phenomenon. Findings According to the data, the age atdeath minus the Wigglesworth life expectancy of 28.15 years for the witch trials accusers averages between 26.4 years, a figure that is statistically significant. This result contradicts Carlson's view that the accusers encountered encephalitis. Finally, the stylized graphical model presented here provides an additional way of viewing the witchcraft episode in 1692 Salem as a demandpull phenomenon. Originalityvalue In refuting previous hypotheses about witchcraft episodes, and by offering a graphical model of witchcraft hysteria as a demandpull phenomenon, this study refocuses attention on the ethicoeconomic aspects of the Salem witchcraft episode.