Karen Douglas On Conspiracy Theories

CFI UK and BHA presents Karen Douglas, University of Kent, speaking on 'A Social Psychological Perspective On Conspiracy Theories' at the 2011 CFI UK Conspiracy Theories Conference.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Conspiracy theories
• CFI UK
• BHA
• Karen Douglas
• University of Kent
• Social Psychology

[rudyell]

oh dear ...rather brainwashed herself

[Glenmead]

oohhh Karen Douglas didn't like that question at 55 minutes in........I thought she was ok until then...Must be hard knowing you are protecting liars and criminals for a living...

[Glenmead]

The very fact millions of people including professionals and architects believe 9/'11 was an inside job would suggest there is something in it no? You think they all just woke up one morning and decided to take on this highly uncomfortable belief, and speak out when it isn't the consensus view.....

[rudyell]

oh dear ...rather brainwashed herself

[Glenmead]

oohhh Karen Douglas didn't like that question at 55 minutes in........I thought she was ok until then...Must be hard knowing you are protecting liars and criminals for a living...

[Glenmead]

The very fact millions of people including professionals and architects believe 9/'11 was an inside job would suggest there is something in it no? You think they all just woke up one morning and decided to take on this highly uncomfortable belief, and speak out when it isn't the consensus view.....

[2012StarShooting]

@contrafib Who's telling you that these deep research do lead to loads of evidence? Remember, those who controlled conspiracy theorist are telling them what they want to hear. Be careful when they tell you they have evidence.

[benthejrporter]

I was there in the audience. Luckily Ian R Crane came on later so that we could hear both sides of the story.

[ljpfahey]

... and in some cases when there isn't any evidence or when they have contradictory beliefs. Obviously it's not research into why people believe theories for which there is hard evidence to support - that would be pointless research. Also, in most cases people are not aware of evidence and are more aware of the general premise of a theory. The participants were normal students, not hardcore conspiracy theory believers.

To conclude - watch the video properly before you comment.

[ljpfahey]

... She didn't say 'All conspiracy theories are...', she described them and said they 'tend to be...'

2) That people believe them because they do research and find evidence. - Good point. As she says in the lecture, sometimes they turn out to be true and conspiracy theories are a good thing because they encourage people to question the system.

However, one of the main points of interest of the research is generally why people are drawn to them in the first place before they have evidence...