The psychology of conspiracy theories
Institutskolloquium
- Datum: 24.09.2021
- Uhrzeit: 10:30 - 12:00
- Vortragende: Prof. Karen Douglas
- Karen Douglas is a Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. She obtained her PhD from the Australian National University in 2000 and has worked in the United Kingdom for 20 years. She has been an associate editor and editor of several social psychology journals including the British Journal of Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, European Journal of Social Psychology, and the British Journal of Psychology. She is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the European Association of Social Psychology. To study the consequences of conspiracy theories, Karen has recently been awarded a five-year advanced grant of 2.5 million Euros from the European Research Council.
- Ort: Zoom Meeting Room 1
- Raum: Zoom Meeting
- Gastgeber: Dmitry Moseev
- Kontakt: dmitry.moseev@ipp.mpg.de
What psychological factors drive the popularity of conspiracy theories, that explain significant events and circumstances as secret plots by malevolent groups? What are the psychological consequences of adopting these theories? In this talk, I will review research that attempts to answer these questions. First, I will outline research which suggests that belief in conspiracy theories is driven by psychological needs that can be characterised as epistemic (e.g., needing to reduce uncertainty), existential (e.g., needing to feel autonomous and in control) and social (e.g., needing to maintain a high level of self-esteem). I will then talk about some of the consequences of conspiracy theories for individuals' wellbeing and for society.