I don't know the study, but Mark Fischer talked about this kind of thing in chapter 2 of Capitalist Realism, though he has some things to say about the nature of protest itself.

Here's a link to the book:

files.libcom.org/files/[Mark_...

Here's the chapter:

When Brash Taunter was first released, I felt like he was printed just for me to hold and love while he wriggled and struggled to break free with his little goblin arms and called me names

My favorite burn spell is Crackle with Power because I think it's funny to say "Crackle with Power for X=3" and then watch the table sigh in relief because "3 isn't so bad" but then tense up again when they realize that that means the entire table takes 15.

Same energy

She puppy