Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy thinking plays an increasing role in processes of polarisation and radicalisation. Van Prooijen highlights how conspiracy theories can lead to a black-and-white world in which one's own group is seen as morally superior, while other groups are demonised. Conspiracy theories can therefore contribute to violations of the rules, a rejection of democracy, illegal forms of protest, populism and sometimes even violence.

Speaker
Prof. Jan-Willem van Prooijen, Associate Professor of Social Psychology, VU Amsterdam, Senior Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) and Endowed Professor of Radicalization, Extremism, and Conspiracy Thinking, UM