What is it about social media that suits the distribution of conspiracy theories? Or are we to look for explanations in the political atmosphere that creates an environment for conspiracy theories first, which could then spread in any type of media? Is there any social science research on this — research in particular that links social media with concrete political environments?
Dear Dr. Mauelshagen!
You spotted an important topic. This is a problem gaining visibility especially now during COVID-19:
1) Shahsavari, S., Holur, P., Wang, T. et al. Conspiracy in the time of corona: automatic detection of emerging COVID-19 conspiracy theories in social media and the news. J Comput Soc Sc 3, 279–317 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-020-00086-5 Available at:
Article Conspiracy in the time of corona: automatic detection of eme...
2) Latkin, C.A., Dayton, L., Moran, M. et al. Behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19 skepticism in the United States. Curr Psychol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01211-3 Available at:
Article Behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19...
3) A case -study: Daniel Romer, Kathleen Hall Jamieson (2020). Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S., Social Science & Medicine Volume 263, October 2020, Open Access:
Article Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of...
4) Zapan Barua et al. (2020). Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses and recommendations for resilience of disastrous consequences of misinformation, Progress in Disaster Science, Volume 8, December 2020, Open Access:Article Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses a...
Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely
Propaganda is far easier in digital forms of media which has opened up endless opportunities for the states, governments, businesses, and politicians to use social media.
Thanks, Kaukab! You say it's easier, and I think you are probably right. But can you elaborate on this a little more?
Dear Dr. Mauelshagen!
You spotted an important topic. This is a problem gaining visibility especially now during COVID-19:
1) Shahsavari, S., Holur, P., Wang, T. et al. Conspiracy in the time of corona: automatic detection of emerging COVID-19 conspiracy theories in social media and the news. J Comput Soc Sc 3, 279–317 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-020-00086-5 Available at:
Article Conspiracy in the time of corona: automatic detection of eme...
2) Latkin, C.A., Dayton, L., Moran, M. et al. Behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19 skepticism in the United States. Curr Psychol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01211-3 Available at:
Article Behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19...
3) A case -study: Daniel Romer, Kathleen Hall Jamieson (2020). Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S., Social Science & Medicine Volume 263, October 2020, Open Access:
Article Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of...
4) Zapan Barua et al. (2020). Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses and recommendations for resilience of disastrous consequences of misinformation, Progress in Disaster Science, Volume 8, December 2020, Open Access:Article Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses a...
Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely
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