Psychology Of Conspiracy Theories

Timetable

TBD

Module aim (aims)

Conspiracy theories are explanatory beliefs attributing secretive, malevolent intentions to a group of actors. Recent events have highlighted their significant impact on public health, safety, and social relations. This course is designed to:

• introduce students to the core concepts in the psychology of conspiracy theories, offering a concise overview of the mechanisms underlying conspiracy belief formation and the psychological factors that drive these beliefs;
• equip students with the knowledge to apply these concepts to a broader range of counterfactual beliefs;
• foster critical reflection on the psychological consequences of conspiracy theories and the potential role of psychological practitioners in addressing their effects

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Proficiency in English sufficient to comprehend scientific texts in psychology

Syllabus

Week 1: Basic Principles of the psychology of conspiracy theories

Week 2: Definitions, types, and popularity of conspiracy theories

Week 3: Emotional and motivational underpinnings of conspiracy theories

Week 4: Emotional and motivational underpinnings of conspiracy theories II

Week 5: Individual differences in belief in conspiracy theories

Week 6: Situational factors in conspiratorial thinking

Week 7: Social factors in conspiratorial thinking

Week 8: Conspiracy theories in intergroup relations

Week 9: Conspiracy theories and political ideology

Week 10: Cognitive underpinnings of conspiracy theories

Week 11: Conspiracy theories as explanatory structures

Week 12: Conspiracy theories as a monological belief systems

Week 13: Psychological consequences of conspiracy theories

Week 14: Social media and the spread of conspiracy theories

Week 15: Countering the conspiracy theories

Week 14: Current directions in the psychology of conspiracy theories

Reading list

Bangerter, A., Wagner-Egger, P. & Delouvée, S. (2020). How conspiracy theories spread. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 206-218). Routledge.
Biddlestone, M., Cichocka, A., Žeželj I. & Bilewicz, M. (2020). Conspiracy theories and intergroup relations. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 219-230). Routledge.
Douglas, K. M., Cichocka A., & Sutton, R. M. (2020). Motivations, emotions and belief in conspiracy theories. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 181-191). Routledge.
Imhoff, R, Lamberty, P. (2020). Conspiracy beliefs as psycho-political reactions to perceived power. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 192-205). Routledge.
Jolley, D., Mari, S. & Douglas, K. M. (2020). Consequences of conspiracy theories. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 231-241). Routledge.
Klein, O. & Nera, K. (2020). Social psychology of conspiracy theories. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 121-134). Routledge.
Krekó, P. (2020). Countering conspiracy theories and misinformation. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 242-255). Routledge.
Lantian, A., Wood. M & Gjoneska, B. (2020). Personality traits, cognitive styles and worldviews associated with beliefs in conspiracy theories. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 155-167). Routledge.
van Proojien, J. W. (2018). Psychology of Conspiracy Theories. Routledge (pp. 1-17).
van Proojien, J. W. (2020). Social-cognitive processes underlying belief in conspiracy theories. In M. Butter, P. Knight (Eds.), Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories (pp. 168-180). Routledge.