scholarly journals The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 538-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Douglas ◽  
Robbie M. Sutton ◽  
Aleksandra Cichocka
Keyword(s):  
Social Group ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
The Self ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Positive Image ◽  
The Social

What psychological factors drive the popularity of conspiracy theories, which explain important events as secret plots by powerful and malevolent groups? What are the psychological consequences of adopting these theories? We review the current research and find that it answers the first of these questions more thoroughly than the second. Belief in conspiracy theories appears to be driven by motives that can be characterized as epistemic (understanding one’s environment), existential (being safe and in control of one’s environment), and social (maintaining a positive image of the self and the social group). However, little research has investigated the consequences of conspiracy belief, and to date, this research does not indicate that conspiracy belief fulfills people’s motivations. Instead, for many people, conspiracy belief may be more appealing than satisfying. Further research is needed to determine for whom, and under what conditions, conspiracy theories may satisfy key psychological motives.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of action of conspiracy theories

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Ana Slavković ◽  
Vukan Slavković
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Positive Image ◽  
Economic Background

The paper discusses the reasons why conspiracy theories emerge (the desire to belong, survive, be close with the members of the group, and maintain a positive image of ourselves and the community). Theories and results of research about psychological factors that are believed to influence the emergence of conspiracy theories are presented. The authors conclude that belief in conspiracy theories is highly dependent on epistemological, existential, and social motives. Research has not yet shown that these theories serve to satisfy these motives, and it is even possible to the contrary, that these theories do not strengthen social cohesion at all, do not lead to improvement of self-esteem and a more positive image of ourselves or the group we belong to. Important questions remain open and more research needs to be done about the consequences of believing in conspiracy theories, especially in vulnerable populations, which have been found to have the highest motivation to accept these theories. The tendency to believe in conspiracy theories is a phenomenon influenced by many factors. Some of these factors are belonging to a lower socio-economic background, a lower educational level, a tendency to outsource one's own responsibility for life's failures, or to neglect the genetic and educational factors that led to it. However, many other factors, such as mental health status, also determine this phenomenon. Poorly integrated, deeply insecure personalities who have not overcome the schizoid-paranoid position of development, tend to perceive the environment as perceptual and threatening, with the aim to protect their own self from deeper disintegration.

The Self-Image of the Masters of Theology at the University of Paris in the Late Thirteenth and Early Fourteenth Centuries

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian P. Wei
Keyword(s):  
Social Group ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
University Of Paris ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
Medieval Universities ◽  
The University ◽  
Broad Approach

Much has been written about the masters of theology at the University of Paris in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries and their views on the nature of theology. Less work has been done on their view of themselves as a social group and what they were supposed to do with their distinctive kind of knowledge, however they defined it. Furthermore, analysis of their self-image has remained very general, included within studies of masters in all subjects in all universities over several centuries. This broad approach is entirely justified in that many sources deal with learning in general and because study of the Paris theologians contributes to wider debate about the social and political significance of medieval universities and intellectuals. It is, however, important to examine the self-image of the masters of theology at Paris specifically because, whatever the wider contemporary ideals, the world of learning was in reality far from homogeneous and harmonious.

Providing Freshmen with a Good “Starting-Block”

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikaël De Clercq ◽  
Charlotte Michel ◽  
Sophie Remy ◽  
Benoît Galand
Keyword(s):  
The Self ◽  
The Other ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Pivotal Phase ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Study Task ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Belonging ◽  
Intention To Persist

Abstract. Grounded in social-psychological literature, this experimental study assessed the effects of two so-called “wise” interventions implemented in a student study program. The interventions took place during the very first week at university, a presumed pivotal phase of transition. A group of 375 freshmen in psychology were randomly assigned to three conditions: control, social belonging, and self-affirmation. Following the intervention, students in the social-belonging condition expressed less social apprehension, a higher social integration, and a stronger intention to persist one month later than the other participants. They also relied more on peers as a source of support when confronted with a study task. Students in the self-affirmation condition felt more self-affirmed at the end of the intervention but didn’t benefit from other lasting effects. The results suggest that some well-timed and well-targeted “wise” interventions could provide lasting positive consequences for student adjustment. The respective merits of social-belonging and self-affirmation interventions are also discussed.

The social and psychological consequences of a natural disaster: A longitudinal study of Hurricane Audrey.

1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick L. Bates ◽  
◽  
C. W. Fogleman ◽  
V. J. Parenton ◽  
R. H. Pittman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
The Social

Summary

1999 ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Editorial board Of the Journal
Keyword(s):  
Turning Point ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
The Self ◽  
Social Teaching ◽  
World Outlook ◽  
The Social

In the 10th issue of the Bulletin “Ukrainian Religious Studies” in the rubric “Scientific Reports and Announcements” there are in particular the following papers: “Religious Studies and Theology” by A.Kolodny, “Activity of the Orthodox Mission in Ukraine on the Turning Point of the XIX-XXth Centuries” by G.Nadtoka, “Religion in the Spiritual Heritage of V.Lypinsky” by L.Kondratyk, “Church as a Factor of the Self-identification of the Nation in the Cultural and Civilization Environment” by O.Nedavnya, “The Problems of Development of The Social Teaching of the Catholicism” by V.Sergyiko, “The God-Thunder Perun in the Pagan World-outlook of the Ancient Rus’” by N.Fatyushyna and other papers

Modern forms of assistance to solve families difficult cases and their adolescent children

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-133
Author(s):  
Marzena Możdżyńska
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Event ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Hierarchy ◽  
Educational Work ◽  
The Social ◽  
Difficult Cases ◽  
Complex Activities

Abstract In recent decades, we observe a significant disorganization of family life, especially in the sphere of parental functions performed by unprepared for the role emotional, socially and economically young people. Lack of education, difficulties in finding work, and the lack of prospects for positive change are the main causes of their impoverishment and progressive degradation in the social hierarchy. Reaching young people at risk of social exclusion and provide them with comprehensive care, should be a priority of modern social work and educational work. In order to provide help this social group and cope with the adverse event created a lot of programs to support systemically start in life. An example would be presented in the article KARnet 15+ program as a form of complex activities of a person stimulating subjectivity, and allows you to modify support in individual cases

Particularities of tinnitus in children and adolescents

ORL ro ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-42
Author(s):  
Alexandra Boloș ◽  
Sebastian Cozma ◽  
Andreea Silvana Szalontay
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches

Tinnitus is a common otologic symptom and probably the most troublesome. Tinnitus causes a number of physical and psychological consequences, that interfere with the quality of life of the patient. Many authors believe that the presence of tinnitus in children is a matter of lesser importance than in adults because it is met less frequently and would be a fleeting symptom, inoffensive for them (Graham, 1981). In addition, the prevalence of tinnitus during adolescence and even in young adults is increasing, possibly as a consequence of the increased ambient noise (Bulbul SF, Shargorodsky J). Various therapeutic approaches have generated different results, which led us to consider the role of psychological factors, hence the need to underline the particularities of this symptom in childhood.  

»Gender« and (a-)symmetry

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Schober
Keyword(s):  
Social Condition ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Social ◽  
Institutional Success

In recent years cultural definitions of »gender« have had extraordinary institutional success. This paper analyses visual worlds that have been motivated by constructivist gender concepts that often display a pronounced symmetry. It relates them to competing images which present difference as scandal, as a mirrored form of the self, or as figurations, and which politicize a-symmetrical forms. The study looks into the social condition of publicity that is constituted by such »picture acts«.

Political psychology in the digital (mis)information age: A model of news belief and sharing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Joseph Van Bavel ◽  
Elizabeth Ann Harris ◽  
Philip Pärnamets ◽  
Steve Rathje ◽  
Kimberly Doell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Information Age ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The Social

The spread of misinformation, including “fake news,” propaganda, and conspiracy theories, represents a serious threat to society, as it has the potential to alter beliefs, behavior, and policy. Research is beginning to disentangle how and why misinformation is spread and identify processes that contribute to this social problem. We propose an integrative model to understand the social, political, and cognitive psychology risk factors that underlie the spread of misinformation and highlight strategies that might be effective in mitigating this problem. However, the spread of misinformation is a rapidly growing and evolving problem; thus scholars need to identify and test novel solutions, and work with policy makers to evaluate and deploy these solutions. Hence, we provide a roadmap for future research to identify where scholars should invest their energy in order to have the greatest overall impact.

Naive, connected, and counselor tween girl identity groups: Consumption practices and social identity constructions within consumer culture

2021 ◽  
pp. 146954052110160
Author(s):  
Tiziana Brenner Beauchamp Weber ◽  
Eliane C. Francisco Maffezzolli
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Consumer Culture ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Consumer Identity ◽  
Identity Constructions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
Identity Groups

This research identifies the relationship between consumption practices and the construction of social identity among tweens in a Brazilian context. Using consumer culture theory and social identity theory, we employed 80 h of observation, 9 interviews, and projective techniques with fifteen girls. Three social identity groups were acknowledged: naive, connected, and counselors. These groups revealed different identity projects, such as the integration and maintenance within the social group of current belonging, the access to the social group with the greater distinctions, the generation of differentiable and positive distinctions (both intra- and intergroups), and the expression and consolidation of identity and its respective consumption practices. This research contributes to the consumption literature that relates to consumer identity projects. The findings reveal a current resignification of girlhood and exposes tweens’ consumption practices as a direct mechanism of the expression and construction of their social identities. These are mechanisms of social identity construction as mediated by group relations through the processes of access, maintenance, integration, differentiation, and distinction.

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