Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Preparation of Meiotic Chromosome Spreads from Zebrafish Spermatocytes
Published on: March 3, 2020
Exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories promotes prejudice which spreads across groups
Daniel Jolley1, Rose Meleady2, Karen M Douglas3
1Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Abstract:
This research experimentally examined the effects of exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories on prejudice and discrimination. Study 1 (N = 166) demonstrated that exposure to conspiracy theories concerning immigrants to Britain from the European Union (vs. anti-conspiracy material or a control) exacerbated prejudice towards this group. Study 2 (N = 173) found the same effect in a different intergroup context - exposure to conspiracy theories about Jewish people (vs. anti-conspiracy material or a control) increased prejudice towards this group and reduced participants' willingness to vote for a Jewish political candidate. Finally, Study 3 (N = 114) demonstrated that exposure to conspiracy theories about Jewish people not only increased prejudice towards this group but was indirectly associated with increased prejudice towards a number of secondary outgroups (e.g., Asians, Arabs, Americans, Irish, Australians). The current research suggests that conspiracy theories may have potentially damaging and widespread consequences for intergroup relations.
Related Concept Videos
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer...
Band Theory
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
Attribution Theory
The Atomic Theory of Matter

