Biddlestone, Mikey, Green, Ricky, Cichocka, Aleksandra, Sutton, Robbie M., Douglas, Karen (2021) Conspiracy beliefs and the individual, relational, and collective selves. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 15 (10). Article Number e12639. ISSN 1751-9004. (doi:10.1111/spc3.12639) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:89529)
PDF
Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English Restricted to Repository staff only until 3 September 2022. |
|
Contact us about this Publication
|
![]() |
Official URL https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12639 |
Abstract
Recent empirical and theoretical developments suggest that endorsement of conspiracy theories can arise from the frustration of social motives. Taking this further, the current review integrates theorising on processes relating to three selves—the individual,relational, and collective self and outlines their associations with conspiracy beliefs. In doing so, we argue that motives pertaining to the individual self (e.g., narcissism, need for uniqueness) are linked to belief in conspiracy theories to deflect blame from personal shortcomings and protect the self-image. Motives responding to threats to the relational self (e.g., social exclusion) increase endorsement of conspiracy theories to regain a sense of social support through exchanging shared concerns. Finally, collective self motives (e.g., collective narcissism, perceived ingroup victimhood) foster conspiracy beliefs to defend the group image by blaming outgroups for ingroup misfortunes and placing one’s group in a morally superior victim role. Taken together, endorsement of conspiracy theories appears to be borne out of attempts to manage these three selves. Potential consequences for each of the selves,future directions, and theoretical implications are discussed.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
DOI/Identification number: | 10.1111/spc3.12639 |
Uncontrolled keywords: | social motives, the self, conspiracy beliefs, conspiracy theories |
Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
Divisions: | Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology |
Depositing User: | Karen Douglas |
Date Deposited: | 30 Jul 2021 14:12 UTC |
Last Modified: | 10 Feb 2022 14:55 UTC |
Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/89529 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
Cichocka, Aleksandra: | ![]() |
Sutton, Robbie M.: | ![]() |
Douglas, Karen: | ![]() |
- Export to:
- RefWorks
- EPrints3 XML
- BibTeX
- CSV
- Depositors only (login required):