Research

Research interests

My research focuses generally around conspiracy theories. More specifically, I am interested in the social consequences of conspiracy theories. Indeed, are they just harmless fun, or do they have potentially significant harmful effects? Furthermore, who believes them and why? Can understanding more about these people help develop ways to alleviate the potential harmful effects? My current research aims to address these questions.

Thesis title

Social psychological consequences of conspiracy theories

Supervisor

Dr Karen Douglas

Funding

Self-Funded

Publications

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (2013). The social consequences of consiracism: Exposure to conspiracy theories decreases the intention to engage in politics and to reduce one’s carbon footprint. British Journal of Psychology. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12018

Jolley, D. (2013). Are conspiracy theories just harmless fun. The Psychologist, 26 (1), 60-62.

Conference Presentations

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (August, 2012). Conspiracy beliefs reduce intentions to engage in political and carbon friendly behaviors. Oral presentation at BPS Social Section Annual Conference, held at St Andrews University, Scotland.

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (July, 2012). Examining the consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. Oral presentation at PsyPAG annual conference, as part of "Psychology of conspiracy theories: What we want you to believe" symposium, held at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (July, 2012). Examining the consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. Oral presentation at Power, Politics, and Paranoia meeting, held at Felix Meritis, Amsterdam.

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (July, 2012). Consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories: Are they harmless fun?. Poster presented at the ESRC SE DTC annual conference, held at the University of Surrey, Guildford.

Jolley, D. (July, 2012). Psychological and social consequences of conspiracy theories: A 3-minute thesis (3MT). Oral 3MT presentation at the ESRC SE DTC annual conference, held at the University of Surrey, Guildford.

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (March, 2012). The social psychology of conspiracy theories: Are they just harmless fun?. Oral presentation at the Social Group seminar series, held at the University of Kent, Canterbury.

Jolley, D., Wood. M., Douglas, K.M., & Sutton, R. (March, 2012). The social psychology of conspiracy theories: Consequences and contradictions. Invited oral presentation at APIG, held at Goldsmiths University, London.

Jolley, D. & Douglas, K.M. (July, 2011). The social consequences of conspiracism: Exposure to conspiracy theories decreases the intentions to engage in politics. Poster presented at the Postgraduate Research Festival, held at the University of Kent, Canterbury.