Article overview

Conspiracy theories aren’t a new phenomenon, but these days they can spread much more easily than before. Discover the various forms of conspiracy theories you can encounter, and the role of social media in their spread.

Conspiracy theories don’t arise in a vacuum. There is always a certain context that gives conspiracy theorists an extra push. What sort of context is that? And what goes on in the minds of conspiracy theorists?

Try to imagine a conspiracy theorist: you might be picturing a strange loner who has lost all grip on reality. But is that image accurate? Are conspiracy theories just for weirdos, or can ‘normal’ people be conspiracy theorists as well?

Those who believe in a conspiracy theory often get completely carried away. How dangerous is that? Should you be careful with conspiracy theorists, or are conspiracy theories no more than harmless fabrications?

Conspiracy theories often have the same structure and characteristics. But is one of those characteristics that they are always wrong? In other words: can a conspiracy theory sometimes just be true?

A conspiracy theory ‘succeeds’ when as many people as possible believe it. And sometimes that’s surprisingly easy: you can’t underestimate the attraction of conspiracy theories. Discover 5 reasons why we like to believe them.

Want to avoid getting caught up in a conspiracy theory? Make sure to read these tips on how you can easily recognise a conspiracy theory.

Every conspiracy theory starts with a conspiracy: a supposed secret plan that the majority of society doesn’t know about. When do we speak of a conspiracy, and what does one entail exactly?

Youngsters today encounter propaganda in various forms and through various media. It plays with their emotions, evokes certain ideas or convictions, and tries to influence their behaviour. How can you as a teacher make them resilient? Discover 9 ideas for a stimulating series of lessons on propaganda.

Polarisation is a phenomenon where groups are increasingly pitted against each other in public debates. It’s an extreme form of us-versus-them thinking in which neither group has ears for the other’s ideas. Discover how polarisation arises, whether it’s always bad, and how to combat it.

Propaganda, in short, is a type of information aimed at persuading. In some cases the information is relatively innocent, in others it can carry a number of risks. Discover 3 situations when propaganda can become dangerous.

Ever since World War I, the term ‘propaganda’ has been tainted with a sour aftertaste. Many associate it with outright lies. And yet, the source and contents of propaganda aren’t by definition unreliable. Discover the details here.