Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka antivaccin-diskurser på Facebooksidan Kavla Ner och jämföra dem med tre antivaccin-diskurser tidigare funna av Kata (2010). Tidigare forskning visar att antivaccin-grupper utnyttjar postmodernistiskt tänkande och att sociala medier är ett kraftfullt verktyg vad gäller åsiktsbildning om vaccin. Därtill kan konspirationsteorier som sprids om vaccin bidra till en ökad tro på att vaccin är farligt.Materialet som analyseras är 30 inlägg från Facebooksidan Kavla Ner och studien bygger på Faircloughs (1992) tredimensionella modell för kritisk diskursanalys. Texterna har analyserats med hjälp av analysverktygen lexikala val och modalitet. Detta görs med utgångspunkt i teorier om ideologi och diskurs, postmodernism samt kulturell hegemoni.Resultatet av analysen visar förekomsten av antivaccin-diskurser och att två av de funna diskurserna stämmer överens med de Kata (2010) funnit. Därtill gjordes nya upptäckter i form av en ny diskurs och de kategoriserande teman Kata funnit utvecklades. Resultatet visade att en stor mängd av inläggen är färgade av ett postmodernistiskt tänkande. Konspirationsteorier visade sig också vara vanligt förekommande i inläggen. Slutsatsen av studien är att de sociala praktiker som påverkar antivaccin-diskursen även skulle kunna påverka andra områden, vilket ytterligare förklarar vikten av att förstå fenomenet vaccinmotstånd. / The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to examine anti-vaccine discourses on the Kavla Ner Facebook page and to compare them to three anti-vaccine discourses previously found by Kata (2010). Research shows that anti-vaccine communities utilize postmodern ways of thought, and that social media is a powerful tool when it comes to affecting people's opinions about vaccination. Furthermore, conspiracy theories which are spread on the internet can contribute to belief that vaccines are dangerous.The material which has been analyzed consists of 30 posts from the Kavla Ner Facebook page and the method is based on Fairclough’s (1992) three-dimensional model for critical discourse analysis. The texts have been analyzed using the tools lexical choices and modality, while drawing on theories about ideology and discourse, postmodernism and cultural hegemony.The result shows the presence of anti-vaccine discourses on the Facebook page, and that two of the discourses are consistent with those found by Kata (2010). In addition, a new discourse was found and the categorizing themes by Kata were expanded. Conspiracy theories proved to be common in the posts. The results also showed that a large number of the posts are characterized by postmodernist thinking. Finally, it is concluded that the social practices which influence the anti-vaccine discourse could affect other areas, which further explains the importance of understanding the phenomenon of vaccine resistance.

Based on a historiographical, archival and media analysis, this doctoral thesis explores the phenomenon of parakratos (translated as deep state or parastate) in post-civil war Greece (1949-1967). Research perspectives are fourfold: Firstly, parakratos is discussed in the context of academic debates on parapolitics and the concepts of the dual state, the security state and the deep state; and presented as a Cold War parallel power mechanism, analogical to Italy and Turkey. Secondly, parakratos is analysed as part of domestic political reality through the prism of the historical events documented in Greek historiography. In this sense, the thesis concentrates on the emergence and operation of clandestine military groups and parastate ultra- nationalist organisations against the backdrop of the Greek political, legal and social environment. Both phenomena are elaborated on through the lens of the inefficient Greek political and administrative system, a deeply divided society, the politicisation of the public space, and the persistence of clientelist networks constructed upon political loyalties. Third, the parakratos is examined on an interpretative level as a term and concept employed in Greek historiography. Focusing on its presumed roots, actors, purposes and relations with the state, three...

Denna studies syfte var att undersöka hur intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, kritiskt tänkande, utbildningsnivå, tro på pseudovetenskap, utbildning, inställning till klimatforskning samt inställning till vaccin korrelerar med tro på konspirationsteorier. Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie där deltagare besvarade ett frågeformulär som mätte variablerna tro på konspirationsteorier, intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, kritiskt tänkande, tro på pseudovetenskap, utbildning, inställning till klimatforskning och inställning till vaccinforskning. Insamling av data skedde via ett icke slumpmässigt bekvämlighets- samt frivillighetsurval. Deltagarna i studien (N=125) var mellan 18 och 82 år gamla (M=46.28, SD=13.48) och bestod av 75 kvinnor och 48 män samt 2 annan/vill ej uppge. Det genomfördes två analyser där resultatet visade att de två modellerna var signifikanta. Resultatet visade att variabeln tro på pseudovetenskap hade en signifikant positiv korrelation med tro på konspirationsteorier och variabeln inställning till vaccin hade en signifikant negativ korrelation med tro på konspirationsteorier. Intuitivt tänkande visades vara en signifikant prediktor utifrån ett självskatttningsformulär men inte från en mätning genom ett test. Variablerna analytiskt tänkande, kritiskt tänkande, utbildning, inställning till klimatforskning var inte signifikanta prediktorer i respektive modell. Den aktuella studiens resultat visade att en högre tro på pseudovetenskap, en högre tendens till intuitivt tänkande samt en mer negativ inställning till vaccin uppvisade högre tro på konspirationsteorier. / This study's purpose was to examine how intuitive thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, belief in pseudoscience, education, approach to science regarding climate and approach to science regarding vaccines correlates with belief in conspiracy theories. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design where the participants answered a questionnaire that measured the variables intuitive thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, belief in pseudoscience, education, approach to science regarding climate and approach to science regarding vaccines. The data was collected through a non-randomized convenience and volunteer sampling. The participants (N=125) were aged 18 to 82 (M=46.28, SD=13.48) whereof 75 were women, 48 were men and 2 chose other/wish to not say. Two analyses were conducted where the result showed that each model was significant. The result showed that the variable belief in pseudoscience had a significant positive correlation with belief in conspiracy theories and the variable approach to vaccine had a significant negative correlation with belief in conspiracy theories. The variable intuitive thinking was shown to be a significant predictor based on a self-assessment measurement but not based on a measurement through a cognitive reflection test. Analytical thinking, education, critical thinking and approach to science regarding climate were not significant predictors in each model. The result showed that a higher level of belief in pseudoscience, a higher tendency to use intuitive thinking and a negative approach to science regarding vaccine correlated with a higher belief in conspiracy theories.

This paper deals with the anti-Semitic pamphlet The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which is placed in the historical context of its origin, considering political and social causes behind the formulation of many previous conspiracy theories and anti-Jewish narratives and their motifs, which are eventually reflected in The Protocols. This complex conspiracy narrative is then subjected to structural analysis, which seeks to identify dominant themes structured into binary oppositions, through which it aims to capture a potential "meaning" or significance of the narrative that was relevant to readers of its time but also addresses contemporary conspiracy theorists. Finally, the work attempts to outline one of the root causes that makes Jews ideal adepts for a major role as conspirators in conspiracy narratives, that lies in their extraordinary, liminal state, defined by their relationship to the majority, in this case, Christian society.

Introduction : La pandémie de COVID-19 a eu un impact négatif sur la santé mentale de la population. Les médias sociaux ont aussi largement contribué à la propagation des théories du complot sur la pandémie. Cependant, l’impact spécifique des diverses sources d’information et des croyances complotistes sur le fardeau psychologique de la pandémie au Canada reste encore méconnu. Objectifs : Ce mémoire vise à mesurer l’association entre l’exposition à différentes sources d’information sur la pandémie et les symptômes anxiodépressifs dans la population adulte du Canada, puis à analyser le rôle modérateur des croyances complotistes sur cette relation. Méthodes : Il s’agit d’une analyse secondaire des données d’une enquête transversale internationale en ligne à propos de l’impact des communications médiatiques sur les réactions psychologiques et comportementales à la pandémie. Les données analysées sont celles des participants canadiens de la collecte de novembre 2020 (n=9 522 adultes). Les quartiles (Q) d’intensité d’utilisation des sources institutionnelles, des médias traditionnels et des sources informelles (ex. : médias sociaux) ont été inclus dans des analyses de régression logistique multivariable ayant pour variables dépendantes les symptômes anxieux (GAD-7) ou dépressifs (PHQ-9). Dans des modèles subséquents, l’ajout d’un terme d’interaction a permis de tester l’effet modérateur des croyances complotistes sur l’association entre l’utilisation des sources informelles et les symptômes anxiodépressifs. Résultats : Une utilisation élevée des sources informelles est associée à une plus grande probabilité de symptômes anxieux (Q4 : ratio de cotes ajusté (RCa)=1,35 [IC95% : 1,12-1,64]), mais pas dépressifs. L’utilisation des sources institutionnelles est associée à une probabilité accrue de symptômes anxieux (Q3 : RCa=1,28 [1,07-1,52] ; Q4 : RCa=1,46 [1,20-1,78]) et dépressifs (Q4 : RCa=1,41 [1,17-1,69]). Les résultats pour l’utilisation des médias traditionnels ne sont pas statistiquement significatifs. Les croyances complotistes sont associées à une probabilité plus élevée de symptômes anxieux (Q3 : RCa=1,34 [1,10-1,62] ; Q4 : RCa=1,94 [1,60-2,35]) et dépressifs (Q2 : RCa=1,31 [1,10-1,56] ; Q3 : RCa=1,44 [1,21-1,73] ; Q4 : RCa=2,43 [2,03-2,92]). Toutefois, l’interaction entre les croyances complotistes et les sources informelles d’information n’est pas statistiquement significative. Conclusion : Ces résultats suggèrent la possibilité de moduler les interventions de santé publique en fonction des habitudes de consommation de l’information et du niveau de croyances complotistes pour mieux cibler et soutenir les personnes présentant un risque accru de développer des symptômes anxieux ou dépressifs. / Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of the population. Social media and their display algorithms have also made it possible to disseminate conspiracy theories about the pandemic in the public space. However, the contribution of various sources of information and conspiratorial beliefs to the psychological burden of the pandemic in Canada is not well known. Objective: This thesis aims to measure the association between exposure to different sources of information on the pandemic and anxio-depressive symptoms in the general adult population of Canada, then to analyze the moderating role of conspiracy beliefs on this association. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from an international online cross-sectional survey about the impact of media communications on psychological and behavioral reactions to the pandemic. The data analyzed are those of Canadian participants from the November 2020 collection phase (n=9,522 adults). Quartiles (Q) of intensity of use of institutional sources, traditional media and informal sources (including social media) were included in logistic regression analyzes with anxious (GAD-7) or depressive (PHQ-9) symptoms as dependent variables. An interaction term between conspiratorial beliefs and informal sources was added in separate models to examine their potential joint effect. Results: Significant use of informal sources is associated with a greater probability of having anxious symptoms (Q4: adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.35 [95% CI: 1.12-1.64]), but not depressive symptoms. The use of institutional sources is associated with an increased probability of both anxiety symptoms (Q3: aOR=1.28 [1.07-1.52]; Q4: aOR=1.46 [1.20-1. 78]) and depression symptoms (Q4: aOR=1.41 [1.17-1.69]). The use of traditional media is not associated with anxious or depressive symptoms. Conspiratorial beliefs are associated with an increased likelihood of symptoms that are both anxious (Q3: aOR=1.34 [1.10-1.62]; Q4: aOR=1.94 [1.60-2.35]) and depression (Q2: aOR=1.31 [1.10-1.56]; Q3: aOR=1.44 [1.21-1.73]; Q4: aOR=2.43 [2.03-2.92]). However, the interaction between conspiracy beliefs and informal sources of information is not significant. Conclusion: These results suggest the possibility of modulating public health interventions according to information consumption habits and the level of conspiratorial beliefs, to better target and support people at increased risk of developing anxious or depressive symptoms.

The purpose of the study was to examine if intuitive thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, pseudoscientific beliefs, rejection of science regarding climate, rejection of science regarding vaccines and education correlates with belief in conspiracy theories. The data was collected through a non-randomized convenience and volunteer sampling by a questionnaire that was answered by the participants and measured all variables. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design with 125 participants, of whom 48 were men, 75 women and 2 other/wish not to say, aged 18–82 (M=46.28, SD=13.48). The result showed that the model was significant and that people with a more negative attitude towards vaccines, a higher degree of belief in pseudoscience and higher preference for and trust in intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories; other variables were not significantly related to belief in conspiracy theories. The result can be used as a basis for future research on belief in conspiracy theories and its relationship to other factors than in current study. / Syftet med studien var att undersöka ifall intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, kritiskttänkande, tro på pseudovetenskap, inställning till klimatforskning, inställning tillvaccinforskning samt utbildningsnivå, korrelerar med tro på konspirationsteorier. Insamlingen av data skedde genom ett icke slumpmässigt tillgänglighetsurval samt frivillighetsurval via ett frågeformulär som mätte samtliga variabler och besvarades av deltagarna. Studien var av kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign med 125 deltagare, varav 48 män, 75 kvinnor samt 2 annan/vill ej uppge, i åldrarna 18–82 år (M=46.28, SD=13.48). Resultatet visade att modellen var signifikant och indikerar att personer med en mer negativ inställning till vaccin, högre grad av tro på pseudovetenskap, samt högre preferens för och tilltro till intuitivt tänkande uppvisar en högre tro på konspirationsteorier. Övriga variabler var inte signifikant relaterade till tro på konspirationsteorier. Resultatet kan användas som underlag för framtida forskning om tro på konspirationsteoriers och dess samband med andra variabler än de i aktuella studien.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka ifall intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, tro påparanormala fenomen, tro på pseudovetenskap, förkastande av forskning kring klimat,förkastande av forskning kring vaccin, utbildningsnivå, maktlöshet samt tro på enkla lösningarpredicerar tro på konspirationsteorier. Insamlingen av data skedde genom ett icke slumpmässigtbekvämlighetsurval samt frivillighetsurval. Studien var av kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign med 244deltagare, varav 112 män, 131 kvinnor samt 1 annan/vill ej uppge, i åldrarna 18–80 år (M=37.1,SD=14.5). Resultatet från analysen visade att modellen var signifikant samt att tro påparanormala fenomen (β=.36, p<.001), förkastande av forskning kring vaccin (β=.32, p<.001)och maktlöshet (β=.11, p<.05) var signifikanta prediktorer för tro på konspirationsteorier.Däremot var inte intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, tro på pseudovetenskap, förkastandeav forskning kring klimat, tro på enkla lösningar eller utbildningsnivå signifikanta prediktoreri modellen. Resultatet kan ligga till grund för att vidare undersöka tro på konspirationsteorierssamband med andra faktorer än aktuell studies prediktorer i framtida forskning. / The purpose of the study was to examine if intuitive thinking, analytic thinking, paranormalbeliefs, pseudoscientific beliefs, rejection of science regarding climate, rejection of scienceregarding vaccine, education, powerlessness and belief in simple solutions predicts belief inconspiracy theories. The data was collected through a non-randomised convenience andvolunteer sampling. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design with 244 participants,of whom 112 were men, 131 women and 1 other/wish not to say, aged 18–80 (M=37.1,SD=14.5). The result from the analysis showed that the model was significant and that belief inconspiracy theories was significantly predicted by paranormal beliefs, (β=.36, p<.001),rejection of science regarding vaccine (β=.32, p<.001) and powerlessness (β=.11, p<.05).However, the result showed that intuitive thinking, analytic thinking, pseudoscientific beliefs,rejection of science regarding climate, belief in simple solutions and education were notsignificant predictors of belief in conspiracy theories in the model. The result can be used as abasis for future research to further examine belief in conspiracy theories relationship to factorsother than the current study's predictors.

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