Paranoia and the structure of powerlessness.

@article{Mirowsky1983ParanoiaAT,
  title={Paranoia and the structure of powerlessness.},
  author={J. Mirowsky and C. Ross},
  journal={American sociological review},
  year={1983},
  volume={48 2},
  pages={
          228-39
        }
}
Paranoia is an alienation from others that has gone beyond a sense of disconnection to one of persecution . Very little is known about the relationship of paranoia to sociodemographic variables . However, prior theory and research provide a basis for inference. We argue that social positions characterized by powerlessness and by the threat of victimization and exploitation tend to produce paranoia . Powerlessness leads to the belief that important outcomes in one's life are controlled by… Expand
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