Changing Conceptions Of Conspiracy

Author : Carl F. Graumann,Serge Moscovici
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 264 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 2012-12-06
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781461246183

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Changing Conceptions of Conspiracy by Carl F. Graumann,Serge Moscovici Pdf

The contents of the first two volumes were, we gladly admit, at once more familiar and easier to handle. We were concerned with mass and leadership psychology, two factors that we know from social and political life. They have been much studied and we can clearly trace their evolution. However, since actions by masses and leaders also have an intellectual and emotional side, we were obliged, in some way or other, to deal with this topic as well. It was obviously necessary, it seemed to us, to approach this study from a new and significant angle. One cannot escape the realiza tion that "conspiracy theory" has played, and continues to play, a central role in our epoch, and has had very serious consequences. The obsession with conspiracy has spread to such an extent that it continuously crops up at all levels of society. The fol lowing paradox must be striking to anyone: In the past, society was governed by a small number of men, at times by one individual, who, within traditional limits, imposed his will on the multitude. Plots were effective: By eliminating these individuals and their families, one could change the course of events. Today, this is no longer the case. Power is divided among parties and extends throughout society. Power flows, changes hands, and affects opinion, which no one controls and no one represents entirely.

Author : Jan-Willem van Prooijen
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 124 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2018-04-09
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781315525396

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The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories by Jan-Willem van Prooijen Pdf

Who believes in conspiracy theories, and why are some people more susceptible to them than others? What are the consequences of such beliefs? Has a conspiracy theory ever turned out to be true? The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories debunks the myth that conspiracy theories are a modern phenomenon, exploring their broad social contexts, from politics to the workplace. The book explains why some people are more susceptible to these beliefs than others and how they are produced by recognizable and predictable psychological processes. Featuring examples such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and climate change, The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories shows us that while such beliefs are not always irrational and are not a pathological trait, they can be harmful to individuals and society.

Author : Michael Butter,Peter Knight
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 1043 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2020-02-17
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780429840586

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Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories by Michael Butter,Peter Knight Pdf

Taking a global and interdisciplinary approach, the Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories provides a comprehensive overview of conspiracy theories as an important social, cultural and political phenomenon in contemporary life. This handbook provides the most complete analysis of the phenomenon to date. It analyses conspiracy theories from a variety of perspectives, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. It maps out the key debates, and includes chapters on the historical origins of conspiracy theories, as well as their political significance in a broad range of countries and regions. Other chapters consider the psychology and the sociology of conspiracy beliefs, in addition to their changing cultural forms, functions and modes of transmission. This handbook examines where conspiracy theories come from, who believes in them and what their consequences are. This book presents an important resource for students and scholars from a range of disciplines interested in the societal and political impact of conspiracy theories, including Area Studies, Anthropology, History, Media and Cultural Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

Author : Michal Bilewicz,Aleksandra Cichocka,Wiktor Soral
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 204 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2015-05-15
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781317599524

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The Psychology of Conspiracy by Michal Bilewicz,Aleksandra Cichocka,Wiktor Soral Pdf

Why did the third World Trade Center building (WTC7) collapse on September 11th , even though it was not struck by any aircraft? Why did Princess Diana’s "drunk" driver look sober as he climbed into the car minutes before their deadly accident? Could a slender birch tree really have caused the plane crash which killed the President of Poland in 2010? ‘Conspiracy thinking’ – the search for explanations of significant global events in clandestine plots, suppressed knowledge and the secret actions of elite groups – provides simple and logical answers to the social doubts and uncertainties that occur at times of major national and international crises. Contemporary social psychology seeks to explain the human motivation to create, share and receive conspiracy theories, and to shed light on the consequences of these theories for people’s social and political functioning. This important collection, written by leading researchers in the field, is the first to apply quantitative empirical findings to the subject of conspiracy theorizing. The first section of the book explores conspiracy theories in the context of group perception and intergroup relations, paying particular attention to anti-Semitic conspiracy stereotypes. It then goes on to examine the relationship between an individual’s political ideology and the degree to which they engage in ‘conspiracy thinking’. The concluding part of the book considers the explanatory power of conspiracy, focusing on the link between social paranoia and digital media, and highlighting the social, political, and environmental consequences of conspiracy theories. The Psychology of Conspiracy will be of great interest to academics and researchers in social and political psychology, and a valuable resource to those in the fields of social policy, anthropology, political science, and cultural studies.

Author : Jan-Willem van Prooijen,Paul A. M. van Lange
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 339 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2014-05-29
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781107035805

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Power, Politics, and Paranoia by Jan-Willem van Prooijen,Paul A. M. van Lange Pdf

Why are people frequently suspicious of their political and corporate leaders? This book examines the psychological roots of political paranoia.

Author : Michael Barkun
Publisher : Univ of California Press
Page : 260 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2003
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN : 0520248120

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A Culture of Conspiracy by Michael Barkun Pdf

Unravelling the genealogies and permutations of conspiracist worldviews, this work shows how this web of urban legends has spread among sub-cultures on the Internet and through mass media, and how this phenomenon relates to larger changes in American culture.

Author : Richard Hofstadter
Publisher : Vintage
Page : 370 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2008-06-10
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780307388445

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The Paranoid Style in American Politics by Richard Hofstadter Pdf

This timely reissue of Richard Hofstadter's classic work on the fringe groups that influence American electoral politics offers an invaluable perspective on contemporary domestic affairs.In The Paranoid Style in American Politics, acclaimed historian Richard Hofstadter examines the competing forces in American political discourse and how fringe groups can influence — and derail — the larger agendas of a political party. He investigates the politics of the irrational, shedding light on how the behavior of individuals can seem out of proportion with actual political issues, and how such behavior impacts larger groups. With such other classic essays as “Free Silver and the Mind of 'Coin' Harvey” and “What Happened to the Antitrust Movement?, ” The Paranoid Style in American Politics remains both a seminal text of political history and a vital analysis of the ways in which political groups function in the United States.

Author : Rob Brotherton
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2015-11-19
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781472915641

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Suspicious Minds by Rob Brotherton Pdf

'A first class book' Sunday Times We're all conspiracy theorists. Some of us just hide it better than others. Conspiracy theorists do not wear tin-foil hats (for the most part). They are not just a few kooks lurking on the paranoid fringes of society with bizarre ideas about shape-shifting reptilian aliens running society in secret. They walk among us. They are us. Everyone loves a good conspiracy. Yet conspiracy theories are not a recent invention. And they are not always a harmless curiosity. In Suspicious Minds, Rob Brotherton explores the history and consequences of conspiracism, and delves into the research that offers insights into why so many of us are drawn to implausible, unproven and unproveable conspiracy theories. They resonate with some of our brain's built-in quirks and foibles, and tap into some of our deepest desires, fears, and assumptions about the world. The fascinating and often surprising psychology of conspiracy theories tells us a lot – not just why we are drawn to theories about sinister schemes, but about how our minds are wired and, indeed, why we believe anything at all. Conspiracy theories are not some psychological aberration – they're a predictable product of how brains work. This book will tell you why, and what it means. Of course, just because your brain's biased doesn't always mean you're wrong. Sometimes conspiracies are real. Sometimes, paranoia is prudent.

Author : Dolores Albarracin,Julia Albarracin,Man-pui Sally Chan
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 327 pages
File Size : 49,7 Mb
Release : 2021-11-25
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781108845786

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Creating Conspiracy Beliefs by Dolores Albarracin,Julia Albarracin,Man-pui Sally Chan Pdf

Drawing on psychology, political science, communication, and information sciences, this book explores the birth of conspiracy theories.

Author : David Coady
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 212 pages
File Size : 43,7 Mb
Release : 2019-03-11
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781351949453

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Conspiracy Theories by David Coady Pdf

Conspiracy theories have a bad reputation. In the past, most philosophers have ignored the topic, vaguely supposing that conspiracy theories are obviously irrational and that they can be easily dismissed. The current philosophical interest in the subject results from a realisation that this is not so. Some philosophers have taken up the challenge of identifying and explaining the flaws of conspiracy theories. Other philosophers have argued that conspiracy theories do not deserve their bad reputation, and that conspiracy theorists do not deserve their reputation for irrationality. This book represents both sides of this important debate. Aimed at a broad philosophical community, including epistemologists, political philosophers, and philosophers of history. It represents a significant contribution to the growing interdisciplinary debate about conspiracy theories.

Author : Mari-Liis Madisson,Andreas Ventsel
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 226 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2020-09-13
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780429670442

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Strategic Conspiracy Narratives by Mari-Liis Madisson,Andreas Ventsel Pdf

Strategic Conspiracy Narratives proposes an innovative semiotic perspective for analysing how contemporary conspiracy theories are used for shaping interpretation paths and identities of a targeted audience. Conspiracy theories play a significant role in the viral spread of misinformation that has an impact on the formation of public opinion about certain topics. They allow the connecting of different events that have taken place in various times and places and involve several actors that seem incompatible to bystanders. This book focuses on strategic-function conspiracy narratives in the context of (social) media and information conflict. It explicates the strategic devices in how conspiracy theories can be used to evoke a hermeneutics of suspicion – a permanent scepticism and questioning of so-called mainstream media channels and dominant public authorities, delegitimisation of political opponents, and the ongoing search for hidden clues and coverups. The success of strategic dissemination of conspiracy narratives depends on the cultural context, specifics of the targeted audience and the semiotic construction of the message. This book proposes an innovative semiotic perspective for analysing contemporary strategic communication. The authors develop a theoretical framework that is based on semiotics of culture, the notions of strategic narrative and transmedia storytelling. This book is targeted to specialists and graduate students working on social theory, semiotics, journalism, strategic communication, social media and contemporary social problems in general.

Author : Sol Goldberg,Scott Ury,Kalman Weiser
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 345 pages
File Size : 45,9 Mb
Release : 2020-12-02
Category : History
ISBN : 9783030516581

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Key Concepts in the Study of Antisemitism by Sol Goldberg,Scott Ury,Kalman Weiser Pdf

This volume is designed to assist university faculty and students studying and teaching about antisemitism, racism, and other forms of prejudice. In contrast with similar volumes, it is organized around specific concepts instead of chronology or geography. It promotes conversation about antisemitism across disciplinary, geographic, and thematic lines rather than privileging a single methodological paradigm, a specific academic field, or an overarching narrative. Its twenty-one chapters by leading scholars in diverse fields address the relationship to antisemitism of concepts ranging from Anti-Judaism to Zionism. Each chapter not only traces the history and major scholarly debates around a key concept; it also presents an original argument, points to avenues for further research, and exemplifies a method of investigation.

Author : J. Byford
Publisher : Springer
Page : 179 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2011-10-12
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9780230349216

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Conspiracy Theories by J. Byford Pdf

Through a series of specific questions that cut to the core of conspiracism as a global social and cultural phenomenon this book deconstructs the logic and rhetoric of conspiracy theories and analyses the broader social and psychological factors that contribute to their persistence in modern society.

Author : Veronique Campion-Vincent
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 310 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2017-07-05
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781351492515

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Rumor Mills by Veronique Campion-Vincent Pdf

The goal of this volume is to explore the social and political dynamics of rumor and the related concept of urban or contemporary legend. These forms of communication often appear in tandem with social problems, including riots, racial or political violence, and social and economic upheavals. The volume emphasizes the connection of rumor to a set of social concerns from government corruption and corporate scandal, to racial, religious, and other prejudices. Central to the dialogue are issues of truth, belief, history, public policy, and evidence.Rumor has been recognized as one of the most important contributing factors to violence and discrimination. Yet, despite its significance in exacerbating social discord and mistrust, little systematic scholarly attention has been paid to the political origins and consequences of rumor. Rumor is defined as a proposition for belief that is not backed by secure standards of evidence. Rumor can be traditional or not, and can be expressed as a simple claim of fact. In both instances groups of claim-makers, operating out of their own interests and with a set of resources, attempt to depict reality, and if possible, impact the future.The need for this book is underscored by changing patterns of technology. What in the past was grounded in face- to-face interaction is now often found on the Internet, which is a major source of rumor. An appreciation of how new electronic forms of communication affect communal belief is essential for explicating rumor dynamics. The volume is comprehensive. Essays cover race and ethnicity, migration and globalization, corporate malfeasance, and state and government corruption. While editors and contributors well appreciate the dynamic nature of rumors and legends, the high quality of the effort make it evident that the issues that are raised and reoccur will serve to channel and inspire research in this major field of communications research for years to come.

Author : Carl F. Graumann,Serge Moscovici
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 262 pages
File Size : 53,5 Mb
Release : 2012-12-06
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781461248767

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Changing Conceptions of Leadership by Carl F. Graumann,Serge Moscovici Pdf