ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to illuminate the group processes involved in the development and endorsement of conspiracy beliefs. It reviews research on group perceptions and stereotyping, alongside its implications for conspiracy beliefs. The chapter discusses the motivational paths associated with beliefs in conspiring groups, focusing especially on the influences of fear, control and the need for recognition. It explains characteristics that might make outgroups especially likely to be accused of conspiring against the ingroup. The chapter illustrates the dimensions along which social groups are perceived, and then move on to address the unique aspects of conspiracy stereotypes. It shows that differences between trait-laden and conspiracy stereotypes is the way they respond to a key mechanism of attitude change, namely intergroup contact. The chapter considers the group perceptions involved in conspiracy belief. It also discusses the individual and group-level motives that can lead ingroup members to endorse conspiracy theories that target the outgroups.
