The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Conspiracy Theories Empower the Oppressor
Conspiracy theorists often exhibit a unique psychological perspective, granting extraordinary agency to their perceived enemies while depicting them as infallible and powerful architects of their actions. This perspective allows them to absolve these figures from responsibility for their atrocities while simultaneously amplifying the blame on others, as seen in controversial historical interpretations. Such a model of agency misrepresents the complexity of historical events by oversimplifying the motivations and actions of the perpetrators, contributing to the dangerous allure of conspiracy theories.
00:00
Transcript
Play full episode
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
