Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories

Print version:

Cover

Half Title

Series Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

List of Contributors

Acknowledgements

General Introduction

References

Section 1

Definitions and approaches

Introduction

References

1 Conceptual history and conspiracy theory

Introduction

Conceptual history as a methodology

The merger of conspiracy and theory

References

2 Conspiracy theory in historical, cultural and literary studies

Introduction

Historical studies

Cultural studies

Literary studies

Conclusion

References

3 Semiotic approaches to conspiracy theories

Introduction

Main characteristics of conspiracist semiosis

Code-text as a unifying mechanism of conspiracist semiosis

Conspiracy theories as representations

Conspiracy theories as a mechanism of identity creation

Autocommunication and self-description of conspiracy theorists

Conclusion and future directions

Note

References

4 Philosophy and conspiracy theories

Introduction

The question of the definition

The epistemic status of conspiracy theories

The ethics of conspiracy theories

The fight against conspiracy theories

Conclusion

Notes

References

5 Psychoanalysis, critical theory and conspiracy theory

Introduction: Beyond realist and symbolist approaches

The pathologisation of conspiracy theory

Psychoanalytic accounts of paranoia in social theory

Symptomatic readings

Lacanian accounts of conspiracist desire

Conspiracy theory and fantasy

Lacan and the normalisation of paranoia

Conclusion

References

6 Conspiracy theory as occult cosmology in anthropology

Introduction: Disciplinary foundations

The problem of definitions

Witchcraft as ordinary and extraordinary

Fear of satanic cults in the U.K. and elsewhere

The ambivalence of close relations. From secret to public accusations

Occult cosmologies and globalisation

Female and male idioms and explanations

The U.S.A. and the transfer of conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theory and social theory

Clarity, opacity, belief and doubt

Conclusion

References

7 Sociology, social theory and conspiracy theory

Introduction

Social reality as a conspiracy

Sociological definitions of conspiracy theory

Methodological questions

Modernity as a conspiracy: Theorising conspiracy theories

Empirical research

Conclusion: Future research in the sociology of conspiracy theory

References

8 Conspiracy theories in political science and political theory

Introduction

Political science and its context: A brief introduction

Topics and methodologies: How political scientists deal with conspiracy theories

Main findings and debates: What political scientists know and dispute about conspiracy theories

Definitions and labels: Conspiracy theories according to political scientists

Further perspectives: What political scientists could/should do about conspiracy theories

Notes

References

9 Social psychology of conspiracy theories

Introduction

Characterising social psychology

History of research on conspiracy theories in social psychology

Theoretical modelling in social psychology: An example

Interpreting findings

Correlations

Study designs

Main scales used to measure belief in conspiracy theories

The contributions of social psychology to the understanding of conspiracy theories

Limitations

Conclusion

References

10 Social network analysis, social big data and conspiracy theories

Introduction

The use of social network analysis

Networks and dissemination through humans, bots and cyborgs

Virtual communities and conspiracy theories. Social big data and conspiracy theories

Case study: Retweet networks in the 'Help Catalonia' campaign

Conclusion

Notes

References

Section 2

Psychological factors

Introduction

References

1 Personality traits, cognitive styles and worldviews associated with beliefs in conspiracy theories

Introduction

The role of personality traits

The role of cognitive styles

The role of worldviews

A dynamic system of individual differences

References

2 Social-cognitive processes underlying belief in conspiracy theories

Introduction

Cognitive roots: Intuitive versus analytic thinking

Cognitive roots: Threat and uncertainty

Complex conspiracy theories

What about real conspiracies?

Conclusion

References

3 Motivations, emotions and belief in conspiracy theories

Introduction

Motivations

Feeling knowledgeable: Epistemic motives

Feeling safe and secure: Existential motives

Feeling good about the self and groups: Social motives

Emotions

Do conspiracy theories 'work'?

Future research

Conclusion

References

4 Conspiracy beliefs as psycho-political reactions to perceived power

Some preliminary notes on questions of definitions

Who can pull off a conspiracy?

Inferring threat from power

Feelings of powerlessness and conspiracy beliefs

Powerless and betrayed

what next?

Levelling of power differences as a functional aspect of conspiracy beliefs?

The power paradox: integrating conspiracy research with power research

Conclusion

References

5 How conspiracy theories spread

Introduction

The transmission process

Situational factors affecting transmission

The reciprocal relations between content and transmission

Discussion and outlook

References

6 Conspiracy theories and intergroup relations

Introduction. Conspiracy stereotypes and images of conspiring outgroups

What motivates conspiring images of outgroups?

What are the intergroup consequences of beliefs in intergroup conspiracy theories?

Conclusion

References

7 Consequences of conspiracy theories

Introduction

Belief in conspiracy theories

Consequences of conspiracy theories

Positive consequences

Negative consequences

Psychological needs

Polarisation and attitude change

Political consequences

Science denialism

Daily life context

Conclusion

References

8 Countering conspiracy theories and misinformation

Introduction

To debunk or not to debunk? That is the question

The difficulties of debunking conspiracy theories

The typology of counterstrategies

Immunisation

Pre-emptive strike

Healing

Striking back

Conclusion

Note

References

Section 3

Society and politics

Introduction

References

1 Who are the conspiracy theorists? Demographics and conspiracy theories

Introduction

Definitions

Do we measure at all and what do we measure?

Demographics

Conspiracy theories across contexts

Conspiracy theories and ideology

Conspiracy theories outside of W.E.I.R.D. countries

Conclusion

References

2 Conspiracy theory entrepreneurs, movements and individuals

Introduction

Academic work on conspiracy theorists

Conspiracy theory entrepreneurs

Conspiracy theory movements

Conspiracy theory individuals

Conclusion

References

3 Conspiracy theories and gender and sexuality

Introduction

The influence of gender and sexuality on conspiracy belief

The importance of gender and (deviant) sexuality in conspiracy theory narratives

Conclusion

Note

References

4 Conspiracy theories, political ideology and political behaviour

Introduction. Conspiracy theories and politics

Political trust and knowledge

Political ideology

Party affiliation

Political participation

Supporting data

Conclusion

References

5 Functions and uses of conspiracy theories in authoritarian regimes

Introduction

Political functions of conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories as a tool of propaganda

Historicisation

The post-Soviet space and Russia as conspiracy state

Populism and conspiracy theories: Populism in power and populism as manual for authoritarianism

The Middle East and Islamic world

References

6 Conspiracy theory and populism

Introduction

Defining populism

Populism and conspiracy theory

Anti-immigrant conspiracy theories in the Nordic countries

Donald Trump's conspiracist populism

Conclusion

References

7 Radicalisation and conspiracy theories

Introduction

On conspiracy theories and radicalisation

How radicalisation works

Conspiracy theories and extremist narratives

Psychological factors

Radicalisation and conspiracy theory as social context

Conclusion

Note

References

8 Antisemitism and conspiracism

Introduction

Premodern conspiracy narratives

Modern antisemitism and conspiracism

World War, revolution and radicalisation

Nazi antisemitism

Post-war developments

Far-right antisemitism

Stalinism and anti-Zionism

Antisemitism in the Middle East

Antisemitism as a tradition of conspiracism

References

9 Conspiracy theory and religion

Introduction

Conspiracy theory as religion

or its substitute

Conspiracy theories about religion(s)

Conspiracy theory in religion: 'W.E.I.R.D.' people

Conspiracy theories in religion: State, Church and Pussy Riot

Conspiracy theory in religion: Islam and polio vaccine theories in Nigeria