Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/2023/Conspiracy theory motivation

News article

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/04/escape-from-the-rabbit-hole-the-conspiracy-theorist-who-abandoned-his-dangerous-beliefs

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 10:08, 4 October 2023 (UTC)

Initial suggestions

@U3223114: Thanks for taking on this topic.

Note that there was a previous, but inadequate attempt at this topic in 2022. I encourage you to check it out as well as the feedback here: Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/2022/Conspiracy theory motivation#Book chapter review and feedback as you plan out this chapter.

There was also an inadequate attempt in 2020, so check out that attempt and the feedback too: Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/2020/Conspiracy theory motivation#Book chapter review and feedback.

Let me know if I can do anything else to assist. Sincerely, James -- Jtneill - Talk - c 06:26, 31 July 2023 (UTC)

You mentioned that conspiracies often have alternative explanations for events attributed to covert actions by powerful entities. Perhaps you could discuss how the “powerful entities” theory is often a racist one, whereby they are often perceived to be certain minority groups. For example, conspiracies often have theories about a “Jewish cabal”, thereby being antisemitic/racist.--MT200107 (discuss • contribs) 03:19, 18 August 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the tip :) 58.84.136.171 (discuss) 04:18, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

Peer comments

Hello, I find this topic really fascinating, I love to see the emphasis placed on all the cognitive elements of conspiracy theory belief. Further to the point of echo-chambers in confirming peoples' pre-existing beliefs, I found this TED talk from the perspective of a man who used to believe in the conspiracy that birds were full of surveillance equipment fascinating, as he exposes the cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias discussed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VEkzweBJPM

Hi Vanessa, not really a suggestion more an encouragement. I had a read of your overview and your chapter is sounding very interesting! I didn't know about the chemtrails theory! I am looking forward to coming back over the next few weeks to learn more! - Rachael. --U3218323 (discuss • contribs) 09:20, 16 August 2023 (UTC)

Thanks, hopefully you continue to enjoy the content :) 58.84.136.171 (discuss) 04:15, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

Hi Vanessa, it looks like your book chapter is off to a great start. If you are looking for external resources, there is a podcast episode by the American Psychological Association called “why people believe in conspiracy theories”. I have linked it below in case you want to check it out. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/conspiracy-theories All the best with the rest of your chapter! --U3230003 (discuss • contribs) 22:18, 18 August 2023 (UTC)

Thanks, I will definitely take a look! 58.84.136.171 (discuss) 04:15, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

Hi there, Your overview section is really engaging. I was immediately drawn to the case study and this also kept me reading. It does sound like a really interesting topic. I find flat-Earth conspiracies amusing but interesting at the same time, so here's link to an article from the Conversation. It is hard to argue about beliefs but Adam Grant does shed some light on it in his book 'Think Again'. He also mentions cognitive dissonance as a concept relevant to conspiracy theorists and how their beliefs get stronger.

All the best. --JasnaM (discuss • contribs) 12:42, 23 August 2023 (UTC)

Thanks Jasna, I'll check out the article. I too find everything to do with this topic fascinating. 58.84.136.171 (discuss) 04:17, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

--U3216883 (discuss • contribs) 00:25, 14 August 2024 (UTC) Hi Vanessa, I have really enjoyed reading your chapter and think it is a great contribution to our Motivation and Emotion Book. I particularly liked that you opened with a case study which engaged the reader. This inspired me to add a case study to my book chapter too. Since the CrowdStrike outage, more conspiracy theories have circled the internet. I have linked one below in case you want to check it out: https://www.france24.com/en/technology/20240720-online-conspiracy-theories-abound-after-major-global-it-crash

Topic development feedback

The topic development submission has been reviewed according to the marking criteria. Written feedback is provided below, plus there is a general feedback page. Please also check the chapter's page history for editing changes made whilst reviewing this chapter plan. Responses to this feedback can be made by starting a new section below and/or contacting the reviewer. Topic development marks are available via UCLearn. Note that marks are based on what was available before the due date.

Title The title is correctly worded and formatted The sub-title is correctly worded and formatted Headings Excellent – Well developed 2-level heading structure, with meaningful headings that directly relate to the core topic Consider whether closer alignment between the focus questions and top-level headings may be helpful Overview Move scenario box to top of section Engaging opening Use 3rd person perspective (except perhaps for scenarios) See comment in previous section re focus question / heading alignment Key points Excellent – key points are well developed for each section, with relevant citations Good balance of theory and research Include introductory paragraph before going into sub-sections Note to watch out for lumping people into "conspiracy theorists" or not; we probably all belief some conspiracy theory to some extent (so it may be more like a continuum) Conclusion (the most important section): Promising In a nutshell, what are the answer(s) to the question(s) in the sub-title and/or focus questions? Figure Excellent use of figures with captions Figure(s) are cited at least once in the main text (but remove full-stop) Learning feature Promising use of in-text interwiki links for the first mention of key terms to relevant Wikipedia articles and/or to other relevant book chapters Useful examples/case studies References Very good For APA referencing style, check and correct: make doi hyperlinks active (i.e., clickable) page numbers should be separated by an en-dash (–) rather than a hyphen (-) I've added the hanging indent template Remove bullet-points and nowiki tags (see Edit source) Resources See also Excellent External links Excellent User page Excellent – used effectively Description about self provided – consider expanding Consider linking to your eportfolio page and/or any other professional online profile or resume such as LinkedIn. This is not required, but it can be useful to interlink your professional networks. Link provided to book chapter Social contribution Excellent – at least three different types of contributions with direct link(s) to evidence

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 01:21, 20 September 2023 (UTC)

Book chapter review and feedback

This chapter has been reviewed according to the marking criteria. Written feedback is provided below, plus there is a general feedback page. Please also check the chapter's page history to check for editing changes made whilst reviewing through the chapter. Chapter marks will be available via UCLearn along with social contribution marks and feedback. Keep an eye on Announcements.

Overall Overall, this is an excellent chapter. It successfully uses psychological theory and research to help address a practical, real-world phenomenon or problem. For additional feedback, see the following comments and these copyedits Overview Well developed Engages reader interest by introducing a case study and/or scenario with an image in a feature box Clearly explains the problem or phenomenon Clear focus questions Theory An excellent range of relevant theories are selected, described, and explained - this is a tour de force The chapter doesn't wander off into discussion of irrelevant theory

-- Theory - Builds on related chapters --> Build more strongly on other related chapters (e.g., by embedding links to other chapters) Insightful depth is provided about relevant theory(ies) Key citations are well used Excellent use of examples to illustrate theoretical concepts Research Excellent review of relevant research Excellent critical thinking about relevant research is evident Claims are well referenced Integration Excellent integration between theory and research Conclusion Excellent summary and conclusion Key points are well summarised Clear take-home message(s) Style Written expression Overall, the quality of written expression is excellent Use 3rd person perspective (e.g., "it") rather than 1st (e.g., "we") or 2nd person (e.g., "you") perspective[1] in the main text, although 1st or 2nd person perspective can work well for case studies or feature boxes Layout The chapter is well structured, with major sections using sub-sections Include an introductory paragraph before branching into the sub-sections (see tags) Grammar, spelling, and proofreading are excellent APA style Use double (not single) quotation marks "to introduce a word or phrase used as an ironic comment, as slang, or as an invented or coined expression" (APA 7th ed., 2020, p. 159) Figures Figures are well captioned Each Figure is referred to at least once within the main text Citations use correct APA style References use almost correct APA style Learning features Excellent use of learning features Excellent use of embedded in-text interwiki links to Wikipedia articles No use of embedded in-text links to related book chapters. Embedding in-text links to related book chapters helps to integrate this chapter into the broader book project. Very good use of image(s) No use of table(s) Excellent use of feature box(es) Excellent use of quiz(zes) and/or reflection question(s) Excellent use of case studies or examples Good use of interwiki links in the "See also" section Very good use of external links in the "External links" section Social contribution ~23 logged, useful, minor to significant social contributions with mostly direct links to evidence Thanks very much for your extensive contributions

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 10:11, 30 October 2023 (UTC)

Multimedia presentation feedback

The accompanying multimedia presentation has been marked according to the marking criteria. Marks are available via the unit's UCLearn site. Written feedback is provided below, plus see the general feedback page. Responses to this feedback can be made by starting a new section below. If you would like further clarification about the marking or feedback, contact the unit convener.

Overall Overall, this is an excellent presentation Overview An opening slide with the title and sub-title is displayed and narrated — this helps to clearly convey the purpose of the presentation Very engaging introduction to hook audience interest A context for the presentation is clearly established through an example Consider asking focus questions or providing an outline of topics that lead to take-away messages. Content Comments about the book chapter may also apply to this section The presentation addresses the topic An appropriate amount of content is presented — not too much or too little The first minute describes conspiracy theories. Perhaps this could be truncated to allow some focus on research. The presentation makes excellent use of relevant psychological theory The presentation makes implied use of relevant psychological research Ideally, make more explicit use of research Consider including key citations to support claims The presentation makes excellent use of one or more examples or case studies or practical advice The presentation provides practical, easy to understand information Conclusion A Conclusion slide is presented with excellent take-home message(s) Audio The audio is easy to follow and interesting to listen to The presentation makes effective use of narrated audio Audio communication is well paced Very good intonation The narration is well practiced and/or performed Audio recording quality was very good There was some background noise. Review microphone set-up to achieve higher recording quality. Probably an on-board microphone was used (e.g., keyboard and/or mouse clicks were audible). Consider using an external microphone. The narrated content is well matched to the target topic (see content) but could have been more explicit about the best psychological research about this topic Video Overall, visual display quality is excellent The presentation makes creative, engaging use of mostly image based slides The font size is sufficiently large to make it easy to read The visual communication is effectively supplemented by images and/or diagrams The presentation is very well produced including images, webcam, text, and audio The visual content is well matched to the target topic (see content) but could also have synthesised the best psychological research about this topic Meta-data The chapter sub-title but not the chapter title is used in the name of the presentation. The title would help to clearly convey the purpose of the presentation. A brief written description of the presentation is provided. Consider expanding. Excellent use of time codes Links to and from the book chapter are provided Licensing Image sources and their copyright status are communicated A copyright license for the presentation is provided in the presentation description but not in the meta-data

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 08:08, 8 November 2023 (UTC)