Stigmatized-knowledge belief channels believers toward conspiracy theories

Evidence

Conspiracy theories therefore function both as a part of suppressed knowledge and as a basis for stigmatization. At one level, conspiracy theories are an example of suppressed knowledge, because those who believe in conspiracy theories are convinced that only they know the true manner in which power is held and decisions made. The conspiracy is believed to have used its power to keep the rest of the populace in ignorance. At another level, conspiracy theories explain why all forms of stigmatized-knowledge claims have been marginalized—allegedly the conspiracy has utilized its power to keep the truth from being known. So the distinction between hidden knowledge on the one hand, which is “true,” and orthodoxy on the other, which is “false,” acts to push believers in stigmatized-knowledge claims toward beliefs about plots to suppress the truth, and hence in the direction of conspiracism. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 186

Categorization

• DEFINE: Shows the double role of conspiracy theories within the stigmatized-knowledge framework.
• XREF: connects to: Conspiracy beliefs mark subcultures rooted in fringe religion and politics; Belief in one form of stigmatized knowledge predicts belief in unrelated others — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 545; Stigma level, not truth, determines which conspiracy beliefs reach mass audiences. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 417 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Belief in one form of stigmatized knowledge predicts belief in unrelated others #expands (0.90) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 545
• Conspiracy theories become unfalsifiable by dismissing skeptic evidence as planted #expands (0.80)
• Stigma level, not truth, determines which conspiracy beliefs reach mass audiences. #corroborates (0.75) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 417