The Psychology Of Conspiracy Theories

An Essential Overview of Current Psychological Research & Literature

What you'll learn

The psychological drives behind belief in conspiracy theories

How evolution can potentially explain conspiracy theory beliefs

What the latest psychological research reveals about those who believe in conspiracy theories

About the psychological processes involved in conspiracy ideation

How to reduce belief in conspiracy theories

Requirements

The course is pitched at an undergraduate level

Description

Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?What kind of people are most likely to believe in them?Is it possible to change or reduce conspiracy theory beliefs? If so, how?This course answers these questions by providing a comprehensive overview of the current, peer-reviewed, scientific research in the psychology of conspiracy theories and those who believe in them.Perhaps you know or have met someone with intractable beliefs in a conspiracy? Perhaps you have tried and failed to change their views and wish to understand why such beliefs are so intractable and difficult to change? Or perhaps you, yourself, believe in a conspiracy theory and wish to understand the psychology behind that belief? If so, this course is for you!Topics explored in the course include:Conceptual and epistemological difficulties around the terms 'conspiracy theory' and 'conspiracy theorist'Approaches to research and the measurement of conspiracy beliefThe prevalence of conspiracy theory beliefsThe drives and motives behind conspiracy theory beliefPersonality and socio-political correlates with conspiracy theory beliefExplanations for conspiracy theory thinking based on evolutionary psychology Psychological processes underpinning conspiracy theory beliefThe consequences of conspiracy theory beliefs: both for individuals and societyEvidence-based approaches to changing and reducing conspiracy theory beliefThe course is pitched at an undergraduate level and should be of interest both to those who study or research psychology (or related disciplines) in a formal academic setting as well as those with a lay interest. This course aims to be unbiased, objective and fair: acknowledging that whilst conspiracy theory thinking sometimes poses risks to public health and environmental protection, real conspiracies have occurred in the past and that conspiracy theory ideation may be beneficial in some contexts and may have an adaptive function in evolutionary terms. Each video-learning session includes an array of additional external resources to deepen your learning by referring to a range of academic specialists: by the end of this course you will be an expert in the psychology of conspiracy theories.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction - The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

Section 2: Conspiracy Theories & Conspiracy Theorists - Different Psychological Approaches

Lecture 2 What Motivates Conspiracy Theorists?

Lecture 3 What Kind of People Believe in Conspiracy Theories? Correlations & Personalities

Lecture 4 Evolutionary Psychology & Conspiracy Theories

Lecture 5 Cognitive Psychology & Conspiracy Theories

Section 3: Changing & Reducing Conspiracy Theory Beliefs

Lecture 6 Research into the Consequences of Conspiracy Theory Belief

Lecture 7 Reducing Conspiracy Theory Ideation & Conspiracy Theory Belief

Section 4: Joining A Community of Researchers

Lecture 8 Moving Forward & Fostering Expertise

People who know a conspiracy theorist and wish to understand them better,Psychology Students,Psychology Researchers,People hoping to explore their own beliefs in conspiracy theories