How to engage with people who believe conspiracy theories

In uncertain times, conspiracy theories proliferate, such as the 'anti-vax' scares that are now circulating online. In a new article in The Conversation, Dr Jovan Byford writes about how to engage with people who believe conspiracy theories. You can read the article here https://theconversation.com/ive-been-talking-to-conspiracy-theorists-for-20-years-here-are-my-six-rules-of-engagement-143132 You can read more about Jovan Byford's work here: http://www.open.ac.uk/people/jtb77    …

How to talk about conspiracy theories without starting an argument

The spread of coronavirus has given rise to a number of conspiracy theories, linking it, for example, to business interests and patents, or the 5G network. Dr Jovan Byford from the School contributes to a new short film on the BBC news website How to talk about conspiracy theories without starting an argument https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-53395619/coronavirus-how-to-talk-about-conspiracy-theories Read more…

How to spot a conspiracy theory

At a time when the news often seems unbelievable, how can we know what's really happening? Dr Jovan Byford from the School offers a helpful guide in this article in The Conversation https://theconversation.com/how-to-spot-a-conspiracy-theory-when-you-see-one-133574  

A sinister plan….

Are we being manipulated by a shady, secret enemy who is planning world domination? Or not? In this video, Dr Jovan Byford from the School of Psychology and Counselling introduces his research on conspiracy theories. https://www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/how-to-spot-a-conspiracy-theory/p07j9sjk?playlist=made-in-partnership-with-the-open-university You can also read about the research in module DD210 Living Psychology and in Dr Byford’s 2011 book Conspiracy…