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Dominik Enste / Johanna Kary IW-Policy Paper No. 11 29. May 2021 Understanding conspiracy myths better – Backgrounds and countermeasure

The analysis deals with the current developments of conspiracy theories at the time of the Corona pandemic.

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Understanding conspiracy myths better – Backgrounds and countermeasure
Dominik Enste / Johanna Kary IW-Policy Paper No. 11 29. May 2021

Understanding conspiracy myths better – Backgrounds and countermeasure

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German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

The analysis deals with the current developments of conspiracy theories at the time of the Corona pandemic.

The social threat of conspiracy narratives lies in the social division due to different interpretations of reality, which then make a public productive discourse impossible. From an evolutionary perspective, high sensitivity to conspiracies might have helped humans to survive in prehistoric times. From a sociological and psychological perspective, belief in conspiracy theories can be a coping strategy to deal with uncertainty, ambiguity, and loss of control. Behavioral economics can explain the influence of various cognitive biases on the belief in conspiracies such as confirmation bias, optimism bias, truth effect, and overconfidence bias. They can contribute to individuals losing trust in institutions and expert opinions and indulging in filter bubbles of their own reality. That does not imply, that this development should be accepted, but to put even more effort into enlightenment. Filter bubbles and the personalization of social media amplify the problem. Following the analysis of the underlying needs that make belief in conspiracy theories attractive, implications are given at the individual, societal, and political levels that can function as countermeasures. These include, for example, inclusive communication, transparency, information and education, and the provision of credible strategies.

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Understanding conspiracy myths better – Backgrounds and countermeasure
Dominik Enste / Johanna Kary IW-Policy Paper No. 11 29. May 2021

Understanding conspiracy myths better – Backgrounds and countermeasure

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German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

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Nudging green behavior
Dominik Enste / Jennifer Potthoff IW-Report No. 26 1. May 2023

Behavioral Economics in Companies: Nudging green behavior

Climate change, the finite nature of natural resources, a growing world population and the quest for prosperity challenge society and policy to act responsibly and sustainably. The debate on climate change and the upcoming energy transition was recently ...

IW

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Dominik Enste / Julia Hensen / Jennifer Potthoff IW-Policy Paper No. 2 20. February 2023

Does Nudging Help in the crisis?: Behavioral economic measures for freedom-preserving energy conservation

In view of the impending gas shortage, private households are called upon to reduce their gas and energy consumption. The moral appeals of those in power harbor the danger that people will react with reactance instead of the desired change in behavior.

IW

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