Abstract
This chapter deals with the role of conspiracy theory in conflict escalation. Conspiracy theory is the belief that a group of people is plotting to harm one’s interests. By conflict is meant a perceived divergence of interest between two or more parties. Conflict escalates when the parties to a conflict move from lighter to heavier heavier contentious tactics, for example, when discussion turns to argument, argument to yelling, yelling to blows.
ArticleNotes
Presented at the symposium on Conceptions of Conspiracy II in Bad Homburg, West Germany, December 17–19, 1984. Preparation of this paper was supported by National Science Foundation Grant BNS83-0916701.
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Pruitt, D.G. (1987). Conspiracy Theory in Conflict Escalation. In: Graumann, C.F., Moscovici, S. (eds) Changing Conceptions of Conspiracy. Springer Series in Social Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4618-3_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4618-3_11
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