Truth and Reconstruction: Political Psychology of Disinformation, Trust, and Epistemic Repair

Abstract

This panel addresses the psychological roots of epistemic breakdown in contemporary democracies. The papers investigate conspiracy thinking, partisan affect, and populist thinking as interconnected mechanisms undermining trust in information and institutions. By integrating cognitive and emotional perspectives, the panel highlights why epistemic crises persist — and what political psychology can contribute to rebuilding democratic knowledge and trust.

Title	Details
Conspiratorial Thinking Among the Older People: The Role of Loneliness, Social Well-Being, Depression, and Anxiety	View Paper Details
Conspiracy Mentality as a Non-Ideological Driver of EU Attitudes in Iceland	View Paper Details
When Procedural Fairness Fails: The Role of Conspiracy Mentality in Shaping Institutional Trust	View Paper Details