Date of Award

4-6-2026

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Kevin Moore

Second Advisor

Harry Brown

Third Advisor

Beth Benedix

Abstract

The following paper is designed to explore belief in conspiracy theories, especially conspiracy theories surrounding the distrust of government like the Uniparty theory in relation to polarization, cults, moral and psychological factors, populism, precedence for having distrust in the government, and influencers. I sought to discover why people believe in conspiracy theories like the Uniparty theory and conducted a media analysis; researched polarization, cult and conspiracy, moral and psychological factors, populism, and precedence; analyzed influencers I watch reflecting conspiracy theory belief; and wrote poetry about conspiracy theories to determine the answer. I found that conspiracy theory belief is influenced by a number of personality, demographic, moral, etc. factors but can be supported by evidence and patterns, and I also found that conspiracy theory belief, despite conceptually being linked to extremism, may have the potential to decrease polarization among certain people and benefit society or, alternatively, threaten society’s well-being.

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