Conspiracy theories and right-wing extremism: the case of Q-Anon

This chapter explores the relationship between the right-wing Q-Anon movement in the United States, conspiracy theories, and threat perceptions from particular communities or groups using a social identity model of collective violence. The chapter also provides a social psychological account of conspiracy theories, in particular the relationship between conspiratorial thinking and threat perception. The authors argue that the Q-Anon conspiracy belief set is a useful case-study to explore recent work on the psychology of conspiracy theories. Through content analysis of material associated with the Q-Anon movement, the study found a positive relationship between endorsement of the Q-Anon conspiracy theory and view of a dangerous and competitive (strongly hierarchically organised) world. This supports previous research on conspiracy theories more generally that emphasises the role of existential uncertainty as a motivating factor. These results also provide support for the social identity model of collective hate, by showing that perception of outgroup threat and immorality potentially acts as a motivating factor towards acts of political violence. Finally, the chapter supports the call for research to be broadened to explore issues around conspiracy theories specific to other cultural contexts.