![]() ![]() This definition goes beyond simple criminal conspiracies, such as conspiring to rob a corner shop. ![]() Conspiracies typically attempt to usurp political or economic power, violate rights, infringe upon established agreements, withhold vital secrets, or alter bedrock institutions. First, we identify a “conspiracy” as secret plot by two or more powerful actors (Keeley, 1999 Pigden, 1995). It is first necessary to define some key terms since many arguments about conspiracy theories originate with disputes over what counts as a conspiracy theory and what does not. We conclude by highlighting some questions that remain open for future research. Then we assess the effects of conspiracy theories, beginning with their social and political benefits and moving on to their influence on other views and actions. Next, we address the motives, mediums, and methods of communizing conspiracy theories. We then delineate the psychological, demographic, and political factors that predict belief in conspiracy theories. We begin by defining key terms and discussing measurement. We believe this effort comprises the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary review yet of research on conspiracy theories. The research we review spans a range of methodologies including content analysis of texts, discourse analysis of political tracts and private interviews, analyses of public survey data, psychological experiments, studies of personality variables, trends within individuals over time, archival studies of societal trends, computer simulations, and automated computerized coding. We consider conspiracy theories ranging in topics from science, health, the environment, immigration, racism, terrorism, and politics to international relations. In this article, we review studies from psychology, political science, sociology, history, information sciences, and the humanities. Also, conspiracy theories drive people to reject scientific consensuses, most notably the consensus around anthropogenic climate change. Conspiracy theories have also driven people to reject mainstream medicine to the point where once-cured diseases are now making a comeback in some parts of the world. Many perpetrators of terrorist attacks were known to be keen supporters of conspiracy theories. Across history they have been closely linked to prejudice, witch hunts, revolutions, and genocide. It is imperative that scholars better understand conspiracy theories for many important reasons. Send us feedback.Conspiracy theories are abundant in social and political discourse, yet a coordinated research agenda to grapple with their causes and consequences has only developed in the last decade. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conspiracy theory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. David Klepper, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Nov. 2022 The posts focusing on Paul Pelosi were just a subset of a recent wave of hateful and conspiracy theory-laden posts that followed Musk’s purchase of Twitter. 2023 That’s a complicated formula, but the holidays are a complicated season, especially when your estranged conspiracy theory-spouting uncle is visiting. 2022 No conspiracy theory, especially in the NBA, goes unchecked. 2023 The most consequential conspiracy theory of Trump’s political career, however, charged that American elections were rigged. 2023 To Van Der Linden’s point, any conspiracy theory at hand is subordinate to the feeling that everything is a conspiracy of some sort, whether the story justifies your political convictions or not (though usually it can be made to). ![]() 2023 Experts say what was once a conspiracy theory found in the internet's underbelly has now hit the mainstream. 2023 Experts say what was once a conspiracy theory found in the internet’s underbelly has now hit the mainstream. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. Recent Examples on the Web The latest conspiracy theory blames the United States Air Force’s High-frequency Active Auroroal Research Program (HAARP) for the tragic recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |