Abstract

Often social media is seen as the culprit for current waves of fake news. But, in the end, if fake news are circulated, it is because some proportion of ordinary citizens are psychologically motivated to share them. In this seminar, I focus on this motivation and argue that feelings of antagonism towards mainstream political institutions lie at its core. Even slight feelings of this sort motivate people to knowingly spread fake news.

Short bio

Michael Bang Petersen is a professor in political science and studies the psychology of politics. He integrates insights from evolutionary psychology and anthropology into the study of modern political cognition and has pursued research on a number of political topics from this perspective including criminal justice, social welfare, immigration and political polarization.

Michael Bang Petersen's project at AIAS

What is a Fellows' Seminar?

The AIAS Fellows' Seminar is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellow or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, one fellow will present and discuss his/her current research and research project, closing off with a question and discussion session.

All seminars are held in English and open to the public. Registration to the seminar is not necessary.  Read more about the AIAS Fellows' Seminar here.