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Running Head : EXISTENTIAL THREAT AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES 1 An Existential Threat Model of Conspiracy Theories
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Prooijen, Jan-Willem Van |
| Copyright Year | 2019 |
| Abstract | People endorse conspiracy theories particularly when they experience existential threat, that is, feelings of anxiety or uncertainty often because of distressing societal events. At the same time, such feelings also often lead people to support groups frequently implicated in conspiracy theories (e.g., the government). The present contribution aims to resolve this paradox by proposing an Existential Threat Model of Conspiracy Theories, which stipulates under what conditions existential threat does versus does not stimulate conspiracy theories. The model specifically illuminates that feelings of existential threat increase epistemic sensemaking processes, which in turn stimulate conspiracy theories only when antagonistic outgroups are salient. Moreover, once formed conspiracy theories are not functional to reduce feelings of existential threat; instead, conspiracy theories can be a source of existential threat in itself, stimulating further conspiracy theorizing and contributing to a generalized conspiracist mindset. In the discussion, I discuss implications of the model, and illuminate how one may base interventions on the model that breaks this cyclical process and reduces conspiracy beliefs. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://static1.squarespace.com/static/50faacdee4b0dc8c8e2b878b/t/5cdbb9cd633c16000186c367/1557903825977/EuropeanPsychologist_inpress.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
