
The Social Chemist
A podcast that looks into the psychosocial elements that contribute to conspiracy theories and political extremism. Hosted by social worker and conspiracy theory researcher Nelson Perez.
Latest episodes

Jun 2, 2021 • 21min
The Tuskegee Experiment Of 1932: Psychosocial Mistrust Of Vaccinations Among African Americans
Send us a textIn 1932, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) started what was intended to be a 6-month longitudinal study to see the effects of untreated syphilis. The study had recruited a sample size of 600 African American males; what those men would not realize is that the 6-month experiment would turn into a 40-year study of immoral practice and scientific abuse of power.Using the existential threat model and the adaptive-conspiracism hypothesis, learn why many African American vaccine skeptics report adamantly not getting their COVID-19 vaccine shot. An observation that is concerning for medical professionals since African Americans are 5x more likely to die from COVID-19.By the end of this episode, you will ask yourself, did we learn the proper lessons from the Tuskegee Experiment, or have the historical details of the event been manipulated for an underlying agenda. ReferencesTuskegee Study and Health Benefit Program - CDC - NCHHSTPTuskegee Syphilis Study - WikipediaLatest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations Race/Ethnicity | KFFTuskegee Experiment: The Infamous Syphilis Study - HISTORYTuskegee Study Deters Some Black People From COVID-19 Vaccine : NPRBlack People Are More Hesitant About A Vaccine. A Leading Nurse Wants To Change That : Coronavirus Updates : NPRStop Blaming Tuskegee Study For Inaction On Current Inequities in Health CAre : Shots - Health News : NPRWe Learned the Wrong Lessons from the Tuskegee 'Experiment' - Scientific AmericanAn existential threat model of conspiracy theories. - PsycNET (apa.org)Conspiracy Theories: Evolved Functions and Psychological Mechanisms - Jan-Willem van Prooijen, Mark van Vugt, 2018 (sagepub.com)Previous Social Chemist References https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conspiracy-theories-and-their-perpetrators/id1530316632?i=1000491598282YouTube References Should Everyone Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? Pro Vax vs Anti Vax - YouTube

Apr 1, 2021 • 18min
Rutgers University Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
Send us a textIn this episode, Nelson Perez talks about the updated immunization requirements Rutgers University has implemented for the Fall 2021 semester. The news comes when anti-vaxxers and vaccine skeptics are at an all-time high in countries like the United States and Brazil. From explaining how the Food and Drug Administration implements Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to learning about the historical context of how lawsuits against vaccines were established and how anti-vaxxers have exploited the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program of 1988 (VICP). Does Rutgers University care about their student's health and safety, or is this the beginning stages of the depopulation plan known as - Agenda 21? https://www.facebook.com/TheSocialChemistFBOur Path Forward – COVID-19 Vaccination and the Fall Term | Rutgers UniversityImmunization Requirements & Allergy Shots – Student Health (rutgers.edu)Vaccine Basics (cdc.gov)Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained | FDAVaccination Is the Best Protection Against Measles | FDAEstimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States — 2018–2019 influenza season | CDCWhat You Need to Know About Dietary Supplements | FDACoronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Brazil Coronavirus Map and Case Count - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Feb 18, 2021 • 31min
The Defense Mechanism Of The Anti-Vaxxer
Send us a textIn this week's episode, Nelson Perez analyzes a conversation he had with an anti-vaxxer and breaks down many of the talking points used by individuals who oppose the MMR vaccine and the mRNA vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Viewing the defense mechanism of the anti-vaxxer can better understand how to interact with a person who holds these beliefs and catch their contradictions and their argumentative technique of "Whataboutism".

Jan 20, 2021 • 20min
The Conspiratorial State Of America
Send us a textIn this episode, Nelson Perez uses the existential threat model to explain the psychology behind Capitol Hill's riots on January 6th, 2021, by Pro-Trump supporters. Learn about the three elements of a conspiracy theory and the radicalization of the conspiracy theorist, and how the United States has entered the golden age of conspiratorial ideologies. https://www.facebook.com/TheSocialChemistFB

Jan 13, 2021 • 41min
The Conspiratorial State Of The Republican Party w/ Sam Faldraga
Send us a textIn this episode, Sam Faldraga discusses the events on January 6th, 2021, when Pro-Trump supporters invaded Capitol Hill. As America and the world watch the conspiratorial right wreck havoc, many people are left concerned with the nation's future. Join us as we talk about White America and the double standard for protesting while black. The dangers of misinformation and the demotion of the Unites States in the international arena.

Dec 31, 2020 • 23min
The Mindset Of The Anti-Vaxxer & The Generalization Of Science
Send us a textWith the FDA approving the Pfizer vaccine to be distributed worldwide to fight off COVID-19, many skeptics have become critical of the true intentions behind the pharmaceutical industry and scientists. As prioritization has been set up to determine which population needs the vaccine shot, anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists have wasted no time in spreading fear and misinformation. Host Nelson Perez discusses the psychology behind the anti-vaccine movement's thinking and addresses some of the misconceptions that have been promoted by the misinformed.https://www.facebook.com/TheSocialChemistFB

Nov 19, 2020 • 17min
The Psychology of Not Knowing & Why Conspiracy Theorists Don't Have All The Answers
Send us a textHow much do you know? What about what you don’t know? Or what you don’t know of what you don’t know about. On this episode of the Social Chemist explore the psychology of what we know as individual, our capacity to grasp information and how it applies to Conspiracy Theorist who claim to know all the answers to politics and medicine without having the proper training to inform their audience. So how much do you know?

Oct 16, 2020 • 19min
The Transactional Relationship Between Conspiracy Theory Producer & Consumer
Send us a text Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory, but why are people so attractive to them? What occurs psychologically to people who engage in some of the most outlandish claims. Researchers have form three explanations about how people and even you process conspiracy theories when you're introduced to them. Host Nelson Perez breaks down the Herd Behavior, Follow-the-Leader, and Preference Falsification model of how people developed conspiratorial ideologies. It is common to ask why people believe in conspiracy theories, but we hardly ask why people spread them? What do conspiracy theorist gain off their message of being "woke"? Follow on Instagram: socialchemistIGFollow on Facebook: socialchemistFBEmail: TheSocialChemist@outlook.com

Sep 24, 2020 • 25min
The American Pedophile: The Psychological Perspective & Why We're Doing It Wrong.
Send us a textStigma is a social label that carries negative social consequences to certain populations in a community. No group faces more stigmatization than the pedophilic community in the United States. The definition of this population has been influenced by documentaries, television series and public opinion. The topic of pedophilia currently remains a mystery due to common limitation of only obtaining information on offending sex offenders. Treatment options for the pedophilic community are limited because of public shaming and insufficient therapists who are knowledgeable or willing work with this population. Germany’s model in addressing this issue involve an emphasize on individuals who identify as pedophiles. The U.S approach differs as its emphasizes the protection of children and adolescents. Critics point out that the approach that is practice in the U.S is not accurate but more importantly ineffective.

Sep 17, 2020 • 21min
Conspiracy Theories and their Perpetrators
Send us a textThe Illuminati's plan to implement the New World Order to the LGBTQ community pushing the gay agenda for population control. Everyone is somehow apart of a conspiracy theory, but most importantly, everyone is the villain in a conspiracy. In this episode, host Nelson Perez explains the difference between myths, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Come explore the 5 different perpetrators of a conspiracy theory by reviewing Jesse Walker 2013 book the United States of Paranoia and discovering why the old saying "everyone is a villain in someone's story" holds true today as it always has.