conspiracy theory
Let an agent explain what conspiracy theories are and how researchers analyse them, relay findings on why they spread and their harms with attribution, identify antisemitic and other hateful theories as such, distinguish them from documented conspiracies, and present debunking resources.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain what conspiracy theories are and how researchers analyse them, relay findings on why they spread and their harms with attribution, identify antisemitic and other hateful theories as such, distinguish them from documented conspiracies, and present debunking resources.
An explanation of an event or situation that attributes it to a secret plot by powerful actors, typically resisting disproof and lacking credible evidence, ranging from theories about political assassinations, celebrity deaths and pseudohistorical claims such as ancient astronauts to long-standing antisemitic canards such as the blood libel and alleged Jewish world conspiracies, which have fuelled persecution; conspiracy theories are studied in psychology, political science and media studies as a form of misinformation, and are distinguished from documented conspiracies established by evidence.
What it is for: Not applicable; a category of narrative.
It can be explain the concept and research; relay findings on spread and harm; identify hateful theories as such; distinguish from documented conspiracies.
Distinguishing features
Secret powerful actors
Resistance to disproof
Spread through media and networks
Real-world harms
What it looks like
Not a visible object; narratives in media, online and in print.
How it is recognised
Unfounded explanation attributing events to secret plots
Political, pseudohistorical, celebrity and antisemitic theories
Documented conspiracies such as Watergate are established by evidence; disinformation is deliberately false content
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is contrasted with - a documented secret plot
is studied by - among other fields
In practice
Families and kinds
political conspiracy theories such as those in American politics
assassination and death theories such as about Marilyn Monroe
pseudohistorical theories such as ancient astronauts
antisemitic conspiracy theories including the blood libel and Protocols-style claims, identified as hateful falsehoods
medical and scientific conspiracy theories
conspiracy theory movements online
Standards and regulation
Platform policies on misinformation
Hate speech laws covering antisemitic conspiracy theories in some countries
Fact-checking standards such as the IFCN code
Failure modes and hazards
Amplifying theories while explaining them
Failing to identify hateful theories as such
Labelling legitimate dissent as conspiracy theory
Violence motivated by theories
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What conspiracy theories are.
Attribution.
Definition
Definition and features.
Definition
Definition.
- What defines a conspiracy theory, and how do researchers distinguish it from a documented conspiracy? definition
- Is the claim an unfounded theory, a documented conspiracy or a contested but evidence-based question? boundary
Psychology
Why people believe.
Psychology
Psychology.
- What does research say about why people believe conspiracy theories, with findings attributed? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Harm Harms and hateful theories.
Safety.
Hateful
Antisemitic and hateful theories.
Hateful
Hateful.
- What are the blood libel and other antisemitic conspiracy theories, why are they false, and what harm have they caused, as historians document? provenance
- Is the presentation clear that these are hateful falsehoods, without repeating them as claims? boundary
Violence
Real-world harm.
Violence
Violence.
- How have conspiracy theories led to violence, health harms and political consequences, with cases attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific case? action
Spread Spread and response.
Media.
Media
Spread.
Media
Media.
- How do conspiracy theories spread through media and online networks, as studies show? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Response
Debunking and prebunking.
Response
Response.
- What approaches to fact-checking, debunking and inoculation exist, and how effective are they, as research finds? provenance
- Which entry fits fact-checking? action
Context History and specific theories.
Context.
History
History.
History
History.
- How have conspiracy theories developed historically, from early modern plots to the internet age? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of the concept? action
Specific
Specific theories.
Specific
Specific.
- What do reliable sources say about a specific theory, such as ancient astronauts or a celebrity death? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific theory? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should antisemitic conspiracy theories be a separate entry with hate speech context?
- How should fact-checking resources be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming specific theories and hateful canards; should they be split off?