Conspiracy theories and psychology:

a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/psicolargum.42.118.AO15

Abstract

This is a systematic literature review that aimed to analyze studies on conspiracy theories in the field of psychology published between 2009 and 2023, in order to reveal the main themes and contexts in which they have been carried out. To do this, we analyzed the summaries of studies that have conspiracy theories as a theoretical framework and published between 2009 and 2023. The results show two analytical axes: in the first there are themes associated with falsehood, disinformation, narrative disputes and aspects typically related to the psychology of conspiracy theorists who help define the motivations of these individuals. In the second, there are health conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the methodological planning that guides the work. Taken together, the results point to the importance of understanding the dynamics involved in the dissemination of these theories and the need for investigations carried out in South and Central America.

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Author Biography

Ana Raquel Rosas Torres, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Doutora em Psicologia pela University of Kent (Reino Unido) e professora de Psicologia Social da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, atuando na graduação e no Programa de Pós graduação em Psicologia Social.

Published

2024-09-17

How to Cite

Silva de Sousa, R., & Raquel Rosas Torres, A. (2024). Conspiracy theories and psychology: : a systematic review. Psicologia Argumento, 42(118). https://doi.org/10.7213/psicolargum.42.118.AO15