Conspiracy theories are shared beliefs that project negative behaviors onto a known or imaginary group. Someone who is attached to a particular conspiracy theory will often continue to believe in it despite evidence to its existence. In some people it may take on features of an addiction.
Elements of a conspiracy:
(1) presence of a secret and powerful group
(2) the group has sinister goals
(3) these goals pose a threat
Features of media reporting a conspiracy:
(1) misinformation
(2) bias/prejudice in representing information
(3) irrational arguments
(4) circular reasoning
Goals of promoting the belief in the conspiracy:
(1) to trigger primitive emotions including anger, fear and paranoia
(2) to manipulate
(3) to justify behaviors that normally would not be acceptable
(4) to justify irrational beliefs
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
