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74527-01 - Master's project: Understanding Conspiracy Theories Belief: A Social Psychological Approach (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Natalia Bogatyreva (natalia.bogatyreva@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Conspiracy theories belief can lead to a range of dangerous outcomes, from climate change denial to vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, researchers are striving to identify factors that may drive individuals towards these beliefs. One potential predictor is low social belonging, which might influence conspiracy theories belief. This Master's project aims to explore the relationship between conspiracy theories belief, social belonging, and social exclusion. For instance: • How are social belonging and conspiracy theories belief interconnected? Could a lower sense of belonging lead to stronger conspiracy theories belief, or do these beliefs harm the social connections a person has? • After experiencing social exclusion, is conspiracy theories belief more appealing as a way to restore threatened needs compared to other strategies? • Other questions pertaining to conspiracy theories belief may also be explored following further discussion. |
| Learning objectives | During the first two semesters, students will familiarise themselves with the topic and identify research questions from theory and practice. Preliminary (small-scale) studies will be designed and ran in collaboration, with the results being analysed and written up. This is to provide students with the opportunity to get first-hand practice on experimental research and scientific writing under close supervision, in preparation for the Master thesis. From the third semester onwards, the focus will be on preparing the Master thesis. In addition to acquiring new knowledge, the course aims to equip students with a methodological toolbox allowing to answer many different questions in an empirically sound manner. This toolbox is of great value not only for writing one's own Master thesis, but also for later professional practice outside the university, or a scientific activity within the university. |
| Comments | Individual appointments by arrangement with the lecturer. The Master thesis and interaction with the thesis supervisor will be conducted in English. Further information: https://psychologie.unibas.ch/de/fakultaet/abteilungen/sozialpsychologie/lehre/masterprojekte-4213/ |
| Admission requirements | Abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium Psychologie (StO15). Auswahlkriterien bei Überbelegung: 1) Masterstudierende der SWE-Vertiefung 2) Masterstudierende der KPN-Vertiefung |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 10.00-11.00 | Missionsstrasse 64a, Seminarraum 00.004 |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Master's Project in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience (Master's Studies: Psychology (Start of studies before 01.08.2024)) Module: Master's Project in Social Psychology, Economic Psychology and Decision Science (Master's Studies: Psychology (Start of studies before 01.08.2024)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Psychology, studiendekanat-psychologie@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Psychology |