The Hidden Impact of Conspiracy Theories: Perceived and Actual Influence of Theories Surrounding the Death of Princess Diana

@article{Douglas2008TheHI,
  title={The Hidden Impact of Conspiracy Theories: Perceived and Actual Influence of Theories Surrounding the Death of Princess Diana},
  author={Karen M. Douglas and Robbie M. Sutton},
  journal={The Journal of Social Psychology},
  year={2008},
  volume={148},
  pages={210 - 222}
}
The authors examined the perceived and actual impact of exposure to conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. One group of undergraduate students rated their agreement and their classmates' perceived agreement with several statements about Diana's death. A second group of students from the same undergraduate population read material containing popular conspiracy theories about Diana's death before rating their own and others' agreement with the same… 
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143 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
3
Background Citations
76
Methods Citations
9
Results Citations
10

143 Citations

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TLDR
The prediction that conspiracy beliefs will strengthen as the apparent motive of the alleged conspirators strengthens and the findings suggested that information about apparent motive may help create and sustain conspiracy beliefs.
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Given the widespread appeal of conspiratorial beliefs, it is surprising that very little empirical research has examined the psychological variables associated with such beliefs. In the present…
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This study aimed to look at possible ways to reduce beliefs in conspiracy theories and increase the intention to have a fictitious child vaccinated. One hundred and sixty participants answered an…
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This study examines students’ social media interactions in relation to their subcultural explorations of a conspiratorial nature. A sample of 476 students from four European universities participated…
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References

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