The Appraisal Model of Conspiracy Theories (AMCT): Applying Appraisal Theories to Understand Emotional and Behavioral Reactions to Conspiracy Theories.

IF 7.2 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Psychological Inquiry Pub Date : 2025-03-13 eCollection Date: 2024-01-01 DOI:10.1080/1047840X.2024.2442906

Lotte Pummerer, Theofilos Gkinopoulos, Karen M Douglas, Daniel Jolley, Kai Sassenberg

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Beliefs in conspiracy theories are related to a diverse set of emotional and behavioral consequences. At the same time, a theoretical model detailing when a conspiracy theory is more likely to elicit confrontation compared to withdrawal, indirect aggression or community-building is missing. We argue that appraisals provide the missing link between conspiracy beliefs and their consequences, proposing the Appraisal Model of Conspiracy Theories (AMCT). Based on appraisal theories of emotions, we outline how the focus on different features that vary between conspiracy theories and the situations in which they are embedded (i.e., focus on secrecy vs. gained knowledge; powerlessness vs. option of confrontation; harm to oneself vs. others) facilitate specific appraisals, resulting in different behavioral outcomes. We also outline how the AMCT helps to reconcile inconsistent research on conspiracy beliefs by providing better predictions about their emotional and behavioral consequences.

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来源期刊

Psychological Inquiry PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

1.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Psychological Inquiry serves as an international journal dedicated to the advancement of psychological theory. Each edition features an extensive target article exploring a controversial or provocative topic, accompanied by peer commentaries and a response from the target author(s). Proposals for target articles must be submitted using the Target Article Proposal Form, and only approved proposals undergo peer review by at least three reviewers. Authors are invited to submit their full articles after the proposal has received approval from the Editor.