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The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint

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The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint. / Jolley, Daniel; Douglas, Karen.
In: British Journal of Psychology, Vol. 105, No. 1, 02.2014, p. 35-56.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

Jolley, D & Douglas, K 2014, 'The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint', British Journal of Psychology, vol. 105, no. 1, pp. 35-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12018

APA

Jolley, D., & Douglas, K. (2014). The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint. British Journal of Psychology, 105(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12018

Vancouver

Jolley D, Douglas K. The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint. British Journal of Psychology. 2014 Feb;105(1):35-56. Epub 2013 Jan 4. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12018

Author

Jolley, Daniel ; Douglas, Karen. / The social consequences of conspiracism : exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint. In: British Journal of Psychology. 2014 ; Vol. 105, No. 1. pp. 35-56.

Bibtex

@article{e3f59af114e8479e8020391a69f07fba,
title = "The social consequences of conspiracism: exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one{\textquoteright}s carbon footprint",
abstract = "The current studies explored the social consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. In Study 1, participants were exposed to a range of conspiracy theories concerning government involvement in significant events such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to engage in politics, relative to participants who were given information refuting conspiracy theories. This effect was mediated by feelings of political powerlessness. In Study 2, participants were exposed to conspiracy theories concerning the issue of climate change. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting the conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to reduce their carbon footprint, relative to participants who were given refuting information, or those in a control condition. This effect was mediated by powerlessness with respect to climate change, uncertainty, and disillusionment. Exposure to climate change conspiracy theories also influenced political intentions, an effect mediated by political powerlessness. The current findings suggest that conspiracy theories may have potentially significant social consequences, and highlight the need for further research on the social psychology of conspiracism.",
author = "Daniel Jolley and Karen Douglas",
year = "2014",
month = feb,
doi = "10.1111/bjop.12018",
language = "English",
volume = "105",
pages = "35--56",
journal = "British Journal of Psychology",
issn = "0007-1269",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The social consequences of conspiracism

T2 - exposure to conspiracy theories decreases intentions to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint

AU - Jolley, Daniel

AU - Douglas, Karen

PY - 2014/2

Y1 - 2014/2

N2 - The current studies explored the social consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. In Study 1, participants were exposed to a range of conspiracy theories concerning government involvement in significant events such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to engage in politics, relative to participants who were given information refuting conspiracy theories. This effect was mediated by feelings of political powerlessness. In Study 2, participants were exposed to conspiracy theories concerning the issue of climate change. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting the conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to reduce their carbon footprint, relative to participants who were given refuting information, or those in a control condition. This effect was mediated by powerlessness with respect to climate change, uncertainty, and disillusionment. Exposure to climate change conspiracy theories also influenced political intentions, an effect mediated by political powerlessness. The current findings suggest that conspiracy theories may have potentially significant social consequences, and highlight the need for further research on the social psychology of conspiracism.

AB - The current studies explored the social consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. In Study 1, participants were exposed to a range of conspiracy theories concerning government involvement in significant events such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to engage in politics, relative to participants who were given information refuting conspiracy theories. This effect was mediated by feelings of political powerlessness. In Study 2, participants were exposed to conspiracy theories concerning the issue of climate change. Results revealed that exposure to information supporting the conspiracy theories reduced participants' intentions to reduce their carbon footprint, relative to participants who were given refuting information, or those in a control condition. This effect was mediated by powerlessness with respect to climate change, uncertainty, and disillusionment. Exposure to climate change conspiracy theories also influenced political intentions, an effect mediated by political powerlessness. The current findings suggest that conspiracy theories may have potentially significant social consequences, and highlight the need for further research on the social psychology of conspiracism.

U2 - 10.1111/bjop.12018

DO - 10.1111/bjop.12018

M3 - Journal article

VL - 105

SP - 35

EP - 56

JO - British Journal of Psychology

JF - British Journal of Psychology

SN - 0007-1269

IS - 1

ER -