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Home > Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Popular beliefs and controversial knowledge > Conspiracy theories > Conspiracy Theories: A Primer
Conspiracy Theories: A Primer

Conspiracy Theories: A Primer


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About the Book

The second edition of this popular text, updated throughout and now including Covid-19 and the 2020 presidential election and aftermath, introduces students to the research into conspiracy theories and the people who propagate and believe them. In doing so, Uscinski and Enders address the psychological, sociological, and political sources of conspiracy theorizing. They rigorously analyze the most current arguments and evidence while providing numerous real-world examples so students can contextualize the current debates. Each chapter addresses important current questions, provides conceptual tools, defines important terms, and introduces the appropriate methods of analysis.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Why Study Conspiracy Theories? Why Are Conspiracy Theories Important? Kennedy Assassination and Other Conspiracy Theories Why Are Conspiracy Theories Important? The Popular Misconceptions Conspiracy theories are more popular now Conspiracy Theories are Extreme Conspiracy Theories are for the Mentally Ill Conservatives Believe More Conspiracy Theories than Liberals Conspiracy Theories are More Popular in the US (or in some other place) Plan of the Book Chapter 2 What is a Conspiracy Theory? Defining Our Terms Conspiracy Conspiracy Theory Falsifiability Other Standards for Evaluating Conspiracy Theories The Diversity of Conspiracy Theories The Conspirators The Number of Conspirators When Do People Conspire? The Methods The Goals Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Conspiracy Thinking Conspiracy Theorist The Post-Truth World? Anomalous Beliefs Conclusion Chapter 3 The Popularity of Conspiracy and Anomalous Beliefs Measurement Conspiracy Theories and Poll Numbers Immigration Conspiracy Theories Government Malfeasance Extraterrestrial Cover-up Malevolent Global Conspiracies Personal Well-being Control of Information Anomalistic Beliefs Conclusion Chapter 4 The Psychology and Sociology of Conspiracy Theories Psychological Factors Cognitive Traits Personality Traits Psychological Conditions Criticisms of the Psychological Approach Sociological Factors Conclusion Chapter 5 The Politics of Conspiracy Theories Power and Conspiracy Theories The Locus of Power Partisan Conspiracy Theorizing Opinion Formation The Hypodermic Needle Theory The Minimal Effects Model Partisanship and Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Symmetry The Interaction between Partisanship and Conspiracy Thinking Conspiracy Theories Are for Losers Conclusion Chapter 6 Donald Trump and the Elections of 2016 and 2020 Donald Trump Runs for President Anti-Establishment Orientations Trump-Russia Conspiracy Theories Consequences of Conspiracy Theory Politics Conclusion Chapter 7 QAnon, COVID-19, Social Media, and The Era of “Post-truth”QAnon COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Other Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Over Time Online Exposure to Conspiracy Theories Does Online Exposure Spread Conspiracy Theories? The Effect of Conspiracy Theory Beliefs on Deleterious Actions A New Satanic Panic Curtailing the Spread and Effects of Conspiracy Theories Conclusions Appendix

About the Author :
Joseph E. Uscinski is professor of political science at University of Miami. He is editor of Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them (forthcoming), coauthor of American Conspiracy Theories (2014) and author of The People’s News: Media, Politics, and the Demands of Capitalism (2014). Adam Enders is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisville. His research focuses on the role of suspicion and conspiratorial thinking in American mass politics, the influence of core values on political identities and attitudes, and the evolving nature of mass polarization.

Review :
What do conspiracy beliefs mean for current politics, and what drives them? Easily accessible, nuanced, critical, carefully argued, and meticulously sourced, the updated and revised Conspiracy Theories: A Primer is a highly useful introduction for students and lay persons alike. Uscinski and Enders cover the field of contemporary research. They show the broader contexts, address common mistakes, and give the reader the current and best data on different general and specific beliefs. Too often, conspiracy theory culture is dismissed as a sign of the times, something unique to today's news, today's personalities. Uscinski makes a very important lesson clear: Conspiracy ideation is not just something that's in the news right now; it's a constant throughout the human race and throughout human history. The better we understand this and how we're all susceptible to such faulty thought processes, the better inoculated against it we become. This primer should be an annual re-read for everyone -- imagine how much good that would do in the world. If you are looking for a very accessible book that systematically outlines and insightfully discusses academic research on conspiracy theories on the most pressing topics today, bingo! If you think America has never been as prone to conspiracy thinking as it is now, that conspiracy theories are overwhelmingly found just on one end of the political spectrum, that only mentally disturbed people believe in conspiracies, or that censorship is a wise way to battle misinformation, this book should disabuse you of all those myths—and many more. Uscinski and Enders thread the needle between what we often assume is the problem of belief in conspiracy theories vs. the problem of how we should talk about conspiracy theories. Looking at how different academic fields have tried to get to grips with what, if anything, is wrong with these things we call 'conspiracy theories,' Uscinski and Enders take all of us conspiracy theory theorists to task in some way, shape, or form, and—as a consequence—provides a through-line of analysis that doesn't borrow but, rather, synthesises work across the broader literature. This book is not just a valuable resource for people who are interested in finding out how the wider academic literature understands conspiracy theory theory; rather, it is a guide to navigating our sometimes conspiratorial waters. At a time when expert knowledge has come under attack and fevered partisanship is rampant, Conspiracy Theories: A Primer is a useful guide to help readers make sense of this disorienting state of affairs. Drawing on a large range of research from multiple fields, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge on conspiracy theories in an entertaining and accessible way. This book will appeal to newcomers curious about what they hear in the news as well as researchers seeking to make their own mark on the field. As the authors make clear, conspiracy theories have been with us for a long time and are not likely to disappear anytime soon. Uscinski and Enders' excellent book provides the reader with an excellent overview of the nature of belief in conspiracy theories as gleaned from research carried out by psychologists, sociologists, and political scientists. It also effectively explodes many widely held popular misconceptions regarding such beliefs. It is written in a clear and accessible style making it suitable for both students and the interested lay reader. Highly recommended.


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Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9798765169513
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  • Publisher Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield
  • Language: English
  • Sub Title: A Primer
  • ISBN-10: 8765169514
  • Publisher Date: 03 Mar 2023
  • Binding: Digital (delivered electronically)
  • No of Pages: 246


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