Regional Studies I (Group A) – America: American Conspiracies - Narratives, Rumor and Theories

Course content

Conspiracy narratives and speculative rumors of a conspiracist nature are intermittently popular in almost all segments of American culture. The general motivations of conspiracy beliefs relate to essential needs (for knowledge, to feel safe and secure, to feel good about oneself and one's group), but evidence shows these needs are not actually served by conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracy theories tend to be explanations that conflict with best academic knowledge and belief in them leads to less support for democratic processes and institutions. They play a role in political polarization, and they are used in identity-protective cognition. They may both express and arouse strong feelings and divide communities and society.