Eur J Soc Psychol December 2018 PMID 30555188

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain.

Jan-Willem van Prooijen, Karen M Douglas

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Mentions

111
Peak: 6 in Jul 2021
across 4 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

1,748,468
potential audience

Total likes

38,530

Video views

1,614,051

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News77 articles
  • X / Twitter24 posts
  • YouTube5 videos
  • Blogs5 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone indicates high interest and moderate agreement with the article, with posts referencing its influence and importance, such as noting its citation count and framing conspiracy beliefs as emotionally driven. Words like 'bona fide research topic' and references to social identities suggest that users see this work as a meaningful contribution to understanding social discussions around conspiracies.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of the article and recognize conspiracy theories as a legitimate research area, with some posts emphasizing its significance for understanding social dynamics.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity and focus on the topic, referencing the article’s influence, citations, and implications, which suggests strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some users critically engage with the ideas, discussing emotional and social factors, but the majority show appreciation or recognition rather than deep critique.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations reflect awareness of the research’s relevance, especially in explaining societal behaviors and emotional motivations, indicating moderate perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The text explains how research on conspiracy theories has developed over the past decade and highlights four key principles: they significantly impact health, relationships, and safety; they are widely believed across different cultures and times; they are driven more by negative emotions than rational thinking; and they are linked to psychological motivations related to intergroup conflict.
  • It suggests that understanding these principles can help guide future research and policy efforts to address the influence of conspiracy theories.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Marko Kovic
@marko_kovic · X

5/ Gruppenzugehörigkeit: Ein wichtiger Faktor bei Verschwörungstheorien ist das "Wir"-Gefühl. Im Zuge der Pandemie hat sich in der massnahmekritischen Bewegung eine starke soziale Identität gebildet, die nun im Lichte einer neuen Krise fortbesteht. https://t.co/u3q60wv1nT

Mar 8, 2022 · 47 likes · 18,393 followers View post →
David Lee, MD
@DaveLeeERMD · X

Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill hope and empowerment when people feel a lack of control. Finally, we must correct power imbalances and protect disenfranchised groups. https://t.co/xd6M61Fh3Q

Jul 10, 2021 · 42 likes · 9 shares · 8,811 followers View post →
Dictator Watch
@DictatorWatch · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain ~ Jan‐Willem van Prooijen and Karen M. Douglas https://t.co/3GSKwhW4nv

Apr 16, 2020 · 2 likes · 64,762 followers View post →
Fernanda Pérez-Gay Juárez
@fhernandhah · X

@goniboza https://t.co/96aSzm3MA3

Apr 29, 2021 · 1 like · 10,124 followers View post →
Gerald Evans
@skepticalIDdoc · X

@SWBdejong @Stranger_Things References this paper introducing a special issue in EJSP from 2018 about conspiracy theories. https://t.co/VSYFzlzQBF

Jul 11, 2022 · 1 like · 5,671 followers View post →
Metta Bhavana "officialfineprintenvoy" #5xjabbed
@MettaBhavana1 · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain. European Journal of Social Psychology. https://t.co/B6tr9CMHjt https://t.co/WkEirxDhiK

Feb 5, 2021 · 1 like · 5,556 followers View post →

All mentions

Maia
@angeliquedeberg · X

https://t.co/ZoLmdUPjGp "Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain" 9/n

Jun 28, 2025 · 1 like · 2,971 followers View post →
Klavs Peder
@KlavsPeder · X

@eyeslasho 8/ in a derogatory way to virtue signal, stigmatize research into the topic, and to signal that true conspiracies are few and far between - ie. pseudo malicious science. "Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain" https://t.co/AvsXh9Hdqs

Feb 28, 2025 · 86 followers View post →
themselfish
@themselfish · X

@a 2474580_05 Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain 1 August 2018 European Journal of Social Psychology Volume 48, Issue 7 Pages: 897-1022 December 2018 Wiley Online Library

Dec 2, 2024 · 38 followers View post →
血祭謙之介(左党)【愚論極論多事暴論】@エコロジーなエロジジイ
@Eco_Ero_ZZ · X

@ShoichiYokoyoko @UlZjvKwA8UnQyH @oyukihan1126 所謂“陰謀論”という言葉が出来る前から、所謂“陰謀論”と言われる様なものは古代ローマ時代から有った様ですね。 https://t.co/oU8jnwBRXB

Nov 11, 2024 · 1 like · 906 followers View post →
FirstTheyCame_
@FirstTheyCame_ · X

@arab_sapien This article has been cited 477 times

Apr 19, 2024 · 1 like · 311 followers View post →
Montydoubleo5
@montygeek007 · X

@Tankgorl @YoMollyF Conspiracies are often consequential, universal, emotional and social. https://t.co/KwSgDGEnYH.

Jul 25, 2023 · 164 followers View post →
Alex
@torturedAlex · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain - PMC https://t.co/KOYlrfhK20

May 29, 2023 · 111 followers View post →
pchakraborty
@pchakraborty · X

@theflyinggaruda @minicnair @AbhishBanerj There. There it is. That clarity! That confidence! That certainty! That unflinching belief in conspiracy theories! It is now a bona fide research topic! https://t.co/TV3amIJEFJ

Oct 5, 2022 · 79 followers View post →
Gerald Evans
@skepticalIDdoc · X

@SWBdejong @Stranger_Things References this paper introducing a special issue in EJSP from 2018 about conspiracy theories. https://t.co/VSYFzlzQBF

Jul 11, 2022 · 1 like · 5,671 followers View post →
Jim Bloom
@jimmyroybloom · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain https://t.co/bMsTM7B8Jw

May 13, 2022 · 2,447 followers View post →
Marko Kovic
@marko_kovic · X

5/ Gruppenzugehörigkeit: Ein wichtiger Faktor bei Verschwörungstheorien ist das "Wir"-Gefühl. Im Zuge der Pandemie hat sich in der massnahmekritischen Bewegung eine starke soziale Identität gebildet, die nun im Lichte einer neuen Krise fortbesteht. https://t.co/u3q60wv1nT

Mar 8, 2022 · 47 likes · 18,393 followers View post →
Rye Thomas
@RyanTereu · X

RT @DaveLeeERMD: Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill h…

Aug 16, 2021 · 9 shares · 1,017 followers View post →
SprkJoy4BtrDays
@SprkJoy4BtrDays · X

RT @DaveLeeERMD: Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill h…

Jul 12, 2021 · 9 shares · 1,879 followers View post →
Marie Anne Delalande
@Nanemad · X

RT @DaveLeeERMD: Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill h…

Jul 11, 2021 · 9 shares · 5,788 followers View post →
ramón lavandera
@GuamutasRamon · X

RT @DaveLeeERMD: Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill h…

Jul 11, 2021 · 9 shares · 454 followers View post →
@Christiane_Suppan@mastodon.social
@Christiane_Su · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain - Prooijen - 2018 - European Journal of Social Psychology - Wiley Online Library https://t.co/fo1a6pEZQ2

Jul 11, 2021 · 158 followers View post →
@Christiane_Suppan@mastodon.social
@Christiane_Su · X

RT @DaveLeeERMD: Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill h…

Jul 11, 2021 · 9 shares · 158 followers View post →
David Lee, MD
@DaveLeeERMD · X

Since these theories are rooted in emotion, we must teach ourselves to become critical thinkers. We also need to instill hope and empowerment when people feel a lack of control. Finally, we must correct power imbalances and protect disenfranchised groups. https://t.co/xd6M61Fh3Q

Jul 10, 2021 · 42 likes · 9 shares · 8,811 followers View post →
Fernanda Pérez-Gay Juárez
@fhernandhah · X

@goniboza https://t.co/96aSzm3MA3

Apr 29, 2021 · 1 like · 10,124 followers View post →
Daryn Munnik
@MunnikDaryn · X

@pierredevos @nybooks Source: Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain Jan-Willem van Prooijen, & Karen M. Douglas

Feb 20, 2021 · 351 followers View post →
Metta Bhavana "officialfineprintenvoy" #5xjabbed
@MettaBhavana1 · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain. European Journal of Social Psychology. https://t.co/B6tr9CMHjt https://t.co/WkEirxDhiK

Feb 5, 2021 · 1 like · 5,556 followers View post →
charlesazorn
@charlesazorn · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain https://t.co/0Wj8Epk9kk

Aug 22, 2020 · 1,609 followers View post →
Dictator Watch
@DictatorWatch · X

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain ~ Jan‐Willem van Prooijen and Karen M. Douglas https://t.co/3GSKwhW4nv

Apr 16, 2020 · 2 likes · 64,762 followers View post →
Bereket Teketel
@ingenioussight · X

For Love of Conspiracy Theories Two such scientists, Prooijen and Douglas, published a paper “Belief in Conspiracy Theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain” in which they summarised the findings of this emerging domain of research.

Jul 21, 2019 · 2,466 followers View post →