Axmann, Charlotte (2025) The Role of Misrecognition in the Belief in Upward Conspiracy Theories. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
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Abstract
Conspiracy theories are more often endorsed by members of low-status groups than members of high-status groups. However, this may be driven by perceived misrecognition based on one’s group rather than group status itself. To examine whether misrecognition predicts conspiracy beliefs across both low- and high-status groups, the present study experimentally manipulated perceived misrecognition in two studies among individuals without (N = 162) and with (N = 212) an academic background. The manipulation successfully increased feelings of misrecognition. Although the manipulation did not directly increase conspiracy beliefs, it had a significant indirect effect on conspiracy beliefs via feelings of misrecognition. Furthermore, conspiracy beliefs were associated with lower societal trust and higher societal discontent, though the direction of causality remains unclear. These results were found among both individuals without and with an academic background. Overall, these findings highlight perceived misrecognition as an important antecedent of conspiracy beliefs, regardless of group status.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Gordijn, E.H. and Otten, S. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route/Track: | Understanding Societal Change [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Aug 2025 08:27 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Sep 2026 04:10 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5889 |
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