Course Details

PSYCHOLOGY OF THREAT AND BELIEF IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES

PSYT334

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Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS Credits
1PSYT334PSYCHOLOGY OF THREAT AND BELIEF IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES3+0+035

Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program PSYCHOLOGY
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course To provide students with basic knowledge about the relationship between threat and conspiracy theories,
To reflect on the diversity of theoretical approaches on the relationship between threat and political ideology and possible explanations for mixed research findings.
To evaluate the factors that correlate belief in conspiracy theories, how belief in conspiracy theories can be a function, and what are their potential outcomes in the light of the existing literature,
To raise awareness on how we can apply what we know about conspiracy theories in the face of global crises such as COVID-19 pandemic.
Course Content How people react to threats has been attracted psychologists’ interest. On how the threat influences our attitudes and behaviours regarding social and political aspects, there are a variety of theoretical approaches and mixed findings in the literature. Besides, the current literature suggests that individuals are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, when they are threatened. This course will address the following questions in light of various theoretical perspectives and research findings: How do people react when they are threatened? Is the threat making us more socially or politically conservative? What is the relationship between threat belief and conspiracy theories? How widespread are conspiracy theories, and who are the people most likely to believe them? Could different types of threats be associated with different types of conspiracy theories? What are some of the potential drawbacks of believing in conspiracy theories? Is it possible to change or lessen one s belief in conspiracy theories How belief in conspiracy theories and trust in science relate?
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities ( PSYC101 ) and ( PSYC102 ) and ( PSYC103 ) and ( PSYC104 )
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. Ahmet Çoymak
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Ahmet ÇOYMAK
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources All other sources will be handed out on Canvas Portal
Canvas Portal
To be announced
2

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Yarıyıl İçi Çalışmalarının Başarı Notunun Katkısı 1 % 40
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
2
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Kısa Sınav 2 2 4
Kişisel Çalışma 1 54 54
Ders dışı çalışma 1 45 45
Yüz Yüze Ders 1 45 45
Final Sınavı 1 2 2
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 (LO1) know the basic theoretical approaches and mixed findings in the literature on how the threat affects social attitudes and political ideology
2 (LO2) identify the relationship between threat and belief in conspiracy theories
3 (LO3) describe the definition and the history of conspiracy theory, and what factors are correlating with belief in conspiracy theories
4 (LO4) have an idea about the psycho-social mechanisms that cause belief in conspiracy theories


Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction
2 How people react to?threat
3 Terror Management Theory


Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
C1 5 5 2 2 1 5 5 2 1 2 5
C2 5 2 1 2 3 3 2 1
C3 4 2 1 2 2 2 1 1
C4 4 1 5 1 2 2 1 1

Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant


https://sis.agu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=72247&lang=en
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