Psychology of Conspiracy Theories 23-PSDM-PCT
Conspiracy theories are explanatory beliefs about a group of actors that work in secret to reach malevolent goals. Recent events have shown their considerable impact on public health, safety, and social relations. This course aims:
• to introduce students to core concepts of psychology of conspiracy theories. The course is a concise overview of the known mechanisms of conspiracy belief formation and research findings on the psychological determinants of belief in conspiracy theories;
• to teach students how the knowledge of these mechanisms might be used to understand a broader range of counterfactual beliefs;
• to support students' development of their reflection on the psychological consequences of conspiracy theories and the role of psychological practitioners in addressing them.
Module learning aims
Major
Methods of teaching for learning outcomes achievement
Student workload (ECTS credits)
Module type
Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After passing the course, the student:
- Is familiar with the core concepts in the psychological studies of
conspiracy theories
- Describes the psychosocial determinants and
consequences of conspiratorial beliefs within the theoretical
approaches discussed
- Reflects on psychological consequences of conspiracy
theories and the role of psychological practitioners in
addressing them
Assessment criteria
Written exam.
Students will be graded according to the following scoring system:
5 (very good): score on final exam over 90%
4,5 (good plus): score on final exam over 85 to 90%
4 (good): score on final exam over 75 to 85 points
3,5 (satisfying plus): score on final exam over 65 to 75 points
3 (satisfying): score on final exam over 50 to 65 points
2 (insufficient): score on final exam up to 50 points
Bibliography
Butter, M., & Knight, P. (Eds.). (2020). Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories. Routledge.
van Proojien, J. W. (2018). Psychology of conspiracy theories. Routledge.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: