Blaming a Few Bad Apples to Save a Threatened Barrel: The System-Justifying Function of Conspiracy Theories: System-Justifying Function of Conspiracy Theories

Jolley, Daniel; Douglas, Karen M.; Sutton, Robbie M.

Abstract

This research demonstrates that conspiracy theories—often represented as subversive alternatives to establishment narratives—may bolster, rather than undermine, support for the social status quo when its legitimacy is under threat. A pilot study (N = 98) found a positive relationship between conspiracy belief and satisfaction with the status quo. In Study 1 (N = 120), threatening (vs. affirming) the status quo in British society caused participants to endorse conspiracy theories. In Study 2 (N = 159), exposure to conspiracy theories increased satisfaction with the British social system after this had been experimentally threatened. In Study 3 (N = 109), this effect was mediated by the tendency for participants exposed (vs. not exposed) to conspiracy theories to attribute societal problems relatively more strongly to small groups of people rather than systemic causes. By blaming tragedies, disasters, and social problems on the actions of a malign few, conspiracy theories can divert attention from the inherent limitations of social systems.

Citation

Jolley, D., Douglas, K. M., & Sutton, R. M. (2018). Blaming a Few Bad Apples to Save a Threatened Barrel: The System-Justifying Function of Conspiracy Theories: System-Justifying Function of Conspiracy Theories. Political Psychology, 39(2), 465-478. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12404

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 18, 2017
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2022
• Journal: Political Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0162-895X
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-9221
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 465-478
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12404
• Keywords: Political Science and International Relations; Philosophy; Sociology and Political Science; Clinical Psychology; Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Social Psychology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7505250
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pops.12404
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Jolley, D., Douglas, K.M. and Sutton, R.M. (2018), Blaming a Few Bad Apples to Save a Threatened Barrel: The System-Justifying Function of Conspiracy Theories. Political Psychology, 39: 465-478, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12404. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.