Senior Discovery Seminar: The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

Catalog description

Conspiracy theories propose that certain significant world events are caused by secret and deliberate actions of powerful malevolent groups. This seminar discusses the structure of conspiracy theories, and the psychological mechanisms and processes that give rise to them. We will address questions concerning what kinds of people might be drawn to conspiracy thinking, how conspiracy theories spread, and what antidotes or remedies might exist. For full seminar description go to College of Letters & Science Academic Programs website: https://www.duels.ucsb.edu/academics/seminar/list