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A blog by four academic psychologists examining the psychology of conspiracy theories ...more info
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Recent Posts
- 50 years today – 20th July 1969 – we landed on the Moon. Or, did we?
- Conspiracy theories fuel prejudice towards minority groups
- New research shows a link between belief in conspiracy theories and everyday criminal activity
- Cartoon on the psychology of conspiracy theories
- Internet prophecy cults 101: QAnon and his predecessors
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Tags
- 9/11
- 9/11 Truth
- alex jones
- aliens
- anomaly hunting
- anti-science
- anti-vax
- apocalypse
- assassination
- beliefs
- big pharma
- bilderberg
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Category Archives: Social psychology
50 years today – 20th July 1969 – we landed on the Moon. Or, did we?
Popular conspiracy theories propose the moon landing was a hoax and the footage recorded in a Hollywood studio. An explanation for why could be that at the time, the Americans had not yet developed a safe way to get a … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology, What's the harm, World events
2 Comments
Conspiracy theories fuel prejudice towards minority groups
By Daniel Jolley and Karen Douglas Some 60% of British people believe in at least one conspiracy theory, a recent poll reveals. From the idea that 9/11 was an inside job to the notion that climate change is a hoax, … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology, What's the harm
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New research shows a link between belief in conspiracy theories and everyday criminal activity
In a new paper published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, we have found that people who believe in conspiracy theories – such as the theory that Princess Diana was murdered by the British establishment – are more likely … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology, What's the harm
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Cartoon on the psychology of conspiracy theories
In June 2018, I was voted one of the winners of ‘I’m a Scientist’ – which is an online platform to engage school children in science where across a two-week period, I spoke to children of all ages about why … Continue reading
Posted in Round-Ups, Social psychology
Every mass shooting produces the same conspiracy theories (more or less)
The same conspiracy theories pop up every single time there’s a mass shooting in the United States, with minimal variation. There are a couple of ways to look at this. On the one hand, maybe the conspiracy theories are right, … Continue reading
Adam Ruins Everything: Episode on conspiracy theories
This week, US TV Show Adams Ruins Everything has an episode on conspiracy theories. If you are in the US, you can tune in on 10th October 10/9c on Tru TV. If you are not based in the US, you … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology
6 Comments
Prevention is better than cure: Addressing anti-vaccine conspiracy theories
In a new paper that we have recently published, we found that people can be inoculated against the potentially harmful effects of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, but that once they are established, the conspiracy theories may be difficult to correct. The … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology, What's the harm
3 Comments
Fake news, conspiracy theories and the UK general election
Popular conspiracy theories propose that members of UK government murdered Diana, Princess of Wales; climate change is a hoax orchestrated by the world’s scientists to secure research funding and pharmaceutical companies and governments cover up evidence of harmful side effects … Continue reading
Posted in Social psychology, What's the harm
5 Comments
Conspiracy theories can sometimes bolster rather than undermine support for the status quo
In a recent paper published in Political Psychology by myself from Staffordshire University and Karen Douglas and Robbie Sutton from the University of Kent, we found that conspiracy theories might be a way that people can maintain favourable attitudes towards society … Continue reading
Posted in Round-Ups, Social psychology
9 Comments
Conspiracy theories in the workplace
Conspiracy theories have been shown to have potentially detrimental consequences on political, environmental, and health-related behaviour intentions. We have discussed these consequences on the blog previously. Recently, psychologists have extended this and explored how conspiracy theories may also impact our day-to-day working … Continue reading
Posted in Round-Ups, Social psychology, What's the harm
5 Comments