A power‐challenging theory of society, or a conservative mindset? Upward and downward conspiracy theories as ideologically distinct beliefs

Autor: Karen M. Douglas, Olivier Klein, Paul Bertin, Pascal Wagner-Egger, Kenzo Nera
Přispěvatelé: Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Laboratoire d'Anthropologie et de Psychologie Cliniques, Cognitives et Sociales (LAPCOS), Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (... - 2019) (UNS), COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: European journal of social psychology
European Journal of Social Psychology
European Journal of Social Psychology, Wiley, 2021, ⟨10.1002/ejsp.2769⟩
ISSN: 1099-0992
0046-2772
DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2769
Popis: Even though conspiracy theories are diverse, they are typically construed as a homogeneous phenomenon. Based on classic theorizations of conspiracy theories by Popper (1945; 2002) and Moscovici (1987), we propose to distinguish between belief in upward conspiracy theories (i.e. targeting relatively powerful groups) and downward conspiracy theories (i.e. targeting relatively powerless groups). The former are theorized as power‐challenging beliefs and the latter are theorized as being underpinned by conservative ideology. Across three studies conducted in Belgium (Total N = 2363), we show that these two types of conspiracy beliefs indeed relate differently to power‐challenging attitudes (i.e. political extremism, feelings of leadership breakdown) and conservative ideology. Specifically, upward conspiracy beliefs were characterized by a U‐shaped relationship with political orientation (i.e. an “extremism” bias), and a strong relationship with feelings of leadership breakdown. By contrast, downward conspiracy beliefs were strongly associated with conservative ideology. Both types of conspiracy beliefs were, however, positively correlated.
info:eu-repo/semantics/published
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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