internet: Conspiracy theory

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A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy (generally by powerful sinister groups, often political in motivation), when other explanations are more probable. The term generally has a negative connotation, as it can often be based in prejudice, emotional conviction, insufficient evidence or paranoia. A conspiracy theory is distinct from a conspiracy; it refers to a hypothesized conspiracy with specific characteristics, including but not limited to opposition to the mainstream consensus among those who are qualified to evaluate its accuracy, such as scientists or historians. As such, conspiracy theories are identified as lay theo…

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The shared psychological roots of prejudice and conspiracy theory belief

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Factors affecting conspiracy theory endorsement in paranoia. Paranoia and conspiracy thinking are known to be distinct but correlated constructs, but it is unknown whether certain types of conspiracy thinking are more common in paranoia than others. In a large (n=1000), pre-registered online study we tested if endorsement of items on a new Components of Conspiracy Ideation Questionnaire varied according to a) whether harm was described as being intentional, and b) whether they were self-referential. Our predictions were supported: paranoia was positively associated with endorsement of items on this questionnaire overall and more paranoid individuals were more likely to endorse items describ…

Evidence: — • authority: 88

Finding someone to blame: The link between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, prejudice, support for violence, and other negative social outcomes. One of the appeals of conspiracy theories in times of crises is that they provide someone to blame for what has happened. Thereby, they increase distrust, negative feelings, and hostility toward implicated actors, whether those are powerful social outgroups or one’s own government representatives. Two studies reported here examine associations of COVID-19 conspiracy theories with prejudice, support for violence, and other and negative social outcomes. In Study 1 (N = 501), the endorsement of the more specific conspiracy theories about the alleged role…

Evidence: — • authority: 88

LGBTI+ conspiracy theory beliefs and prejudice: The role of intergroup contact, social norms and symbolic threat. Conspiracy theories targeting LGBTI+ individuals have become increasingly prominent in public discourse, often reinforcing prejudice and symbolic threat. Across three studies conducted in Slovakia, we examined the associations between belief in LGBTI+ conspiracy theories, affective and cognitive prejudice, symbolic threat, political conservativism, and intergroup contact. Study 1 demonstrated moderate links between contact, prejudice and LGBTI+ conspiracy beliefs. Studies 2 and 3 tested whether communicating tolerant social norms or imagined intergroup contact could decrease con…

Evidence: — • authority: 92

Constructing unverifiable reality: a qualitative study of the prison planet conspiracy hypothesis on YouTube.. Introduction This study examines the construction of unverifiable realities through the analysis of a YouTube video and its associated comments on the Prison Planet theory, a spiritual and non-falsifiable conspiracy hypothesis. It investigates how digital interactions contribute to the legitimization of alternative epistemic frameworks. Methods Using Grounded Theory, the research analyzes the transcript of a 54-min YouTube video along with 450 viewer comments. The study focuses on how credibility is constructed through the interplay between video content and audience engagement. Re…

Evidence: — • authority: 92

The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic.. This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19-related preventive actions and vaccination intentions. The dominant theory in the literature is that beliefs in conspiracy theories have negative consequences. In particular, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories lower people's intentions to engage in preventive actions and get vaccinated. Previous studies indicated that this dominant theory applies in Korea as well. However, we find that this dominant theory does not apply…