Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
32 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does confirmation bias lead individuals to do with evidence regarding conspiracy theories?

  • Seek out balanced viewpoints
  • Question their beliefs
  • Disregard evidence entirely
  • Emphasize evidence that supports the theory (correct)

    • What characterizes a conspiracy-minded personality according to the content?

  • A tendency to explore evidence critically
  • Acceptance of contradictory conspiracy theories (correct)
  • A dislike for unpredictable events
  • Strong belief in official narratives

    • How is conspiricism defined in relation to ideology?

  • A skepticism toward political institutions
  • Believing in complex scientific theories
  • Recognizing the randomness of events
  • The belief that authorities are concealing malicious intentions (correct)

    • Which ideology is NOT mentioned as a factor that shapes one’s understanding of political reality?

    <p>Humanism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested as an alternative to viewing conspiracy mindsets as personality traits?

    <p>Classifying them as a specific ideology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which outcome does the hypothesis suggest is common among those with a conspiracy-minded personality?

    <p>Increased belief in conspiracy theories overall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a characteristic of conspiracy theories according to the content?

    <p>They are universally accepted truths</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does cognitive bias relate to the belief in conspiracy theories?

    <p>It supports the maintenance of those beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Cassam believe is the primary purpose of Conspiracy Theories?

    <p>To promote a political agenda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of Conspiracy Theories as described by Cassam?

    <p>Historical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cognitive bias involves the belief that events happen because they were intentionally caused?

    <p>Intentionality bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When individuals ignore contrary evidence to their beliefs, which cognitive bias are they exhibiting?

    <p>Confirmation bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the assumption related to proportionality bias?

    <p>Major events must have major causes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example illustrates confirmation bias in the content?

    <p>Assuming the pilot crashed the plane intentionally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'deep state' refer to in the context of conspiracy beliefs about JFK's assassination?

    <p>A governmental conspiracy to hide facts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In explaining the popularity of conspiracy theories, which are the two primary factors psychologists identify?

    <p>Cognitive biases and personality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does ideology play in conspiracy-mindedness?

    <p>It often encourages certain forms of conspiricism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group is more likely to be associated with 'Truthers'?

    <p>Liberal individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes extremist ideologies in relation to conspiracy theories?

    <p>Right and left-wing extremists often harbor specific conspiracy beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between smoking and lung cancer in the explanatory analogy used?

    <p>Smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the discussion, what motivates people to produce conspiracy theories?

    <p>To align with their preferred political ideology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which conspiratorial belief has been attributed to extremist Islamists?

    <p>A Judeo-Christian conspiracy to destroy Islam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable objection when discussing extremists and conspiracy theories?

    <p>Some extremists do not subscribe to conspiracy theories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of conspiracy theories are left-wing extremists particularly prone to believe in?

    <p>Conspiracy theories about global elites.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do conspiracy theories play in extremist ideologies?

    <p>They are an integral part of the ideology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which groups are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories according to the content?

    <p>African Americans and Hispanics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors might lead to increased belief in conspiracy theories?

    <p>Victimization by conspiracies and marginalization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential characteristic of conspiracy-minded individuals?

    <p>They see themselves as socially isolated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the content suggest about the reasons for conspiracist beliefs?

    <p>They may stem from life circumstances rather than just ideology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested about the appeal of conspiracy theories?

    <p>They are captivating and intriguing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the challenge associated with understanding conspiricism?

    <p>It involves identifying multiple contributing factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the content view the relationship between negative life experiences and conspiricism?

    <p>Negative experiences may contribute but are not definitive causes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Recap of Conspiracy Theories

    • Cassam's Distinction: Differentiates between 'Conspiracy Theories' (propaganda for political agendas) and general conspiracy theories.
    • Features of Conspiracy Theories: Speculative, contrarian, esoteric, amateurish, and reflect a pre-modern worldview.

    Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

    • Belief Influences: People believe in conspiracy theories due to cognitive biases and personality traits.
    • Cognitive Biases: Shortcuts in thinking that lead to flawed conclusions.
      • Intentionality Bias: Attributing events to deliberate actions rather than coincidences.
      • Confirmation Bias: Seeking supporting evidence for pre-existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory information.
      • Proportionality Bias: Believing the causes of significant events must be equally significant in their nature.

    Conspiracy-Minded Personality Hypothesis

    • Individuals with a conspiracy-minded personality are likely to believe in multiple unrelated conspiracy theories.
    • Example: Belief in contrasting theories about Princess Diana's death (faked death versus murder).

    Ideology and Conspiracy Theories

    • Conspiricism: Ideology where authority figures are perceived as hiding truths for sinister purposes.
    • Conspiracy-minded individuals often accept various conspiracy theories due to underlying ideological beliefs, not just personality.

    Role of Ideology

    • Political Ideologies: Certain ideologies foster belief in specific types of conspiracy theories (e.g., US liberals and Truthers, conservatives and birthers).
    • Utility of CTs: Conspiracy theories serve as propaganda that aligns with one’s political beliefs.

    Extremism and Conspiracy Theories

    • Types of Extremism:
      • Right-wing extremists often propagate anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
      • Left-wing extremists may theorize about global elites, frequently labeling them as Jewish.
      • Extremist Islamists might claim a Judeo-Christian conspiracy to undermine Islam.
    • Extremism correlates with an increased likelihood of believing in conspiracy theories, suggesting CTs are integral to extremist ideologies.

    Understanding Complexities

    • General extremism does not define conspiracy belief; rather, multiple factors contribute to individuals becoming conspiracy theorists.
    • Not all conspiracy theorists are extremists, indicating a complex, multi-dimensional explanation.

    Other Contributory Factors

    • Victimization: Populations affected by real conspiracies (e.g., historical injustices) are generally more inclined to believe conspiracy theories.
    • Marginalization: Individuals in marginalized or impoverished conditions may be more predisposed to conspiricism, correlating with feelings of social disempowerment.
    • The Pull Factor: Conspiracy theories often attract individuals due to their engaging and intriguing nature, providing deeper meaning to random events.

    Summary

    • The appeal of conspiracy theories arises from a combination of cognitive biases, ideological beliefs, social circumstances, and the seduction of compelling narratives.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Conspiracy Theories_II.pptx

    Description

    Explore the intriguing realm of conspiracy theories, focusing on cognitive biases and personality traits that influence belief in unconventional narratives. This quiz delves into the distinctions and psychological underpinnings outlined by Cassam and others. Test your understanding of how human cognition shapes our perception of conspiracy theories.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser