OK I have a minute:
(1) Separating other people into out-groups and in-groups is a basic human tendency (2) We identify groups by some combination of physical characteristics, gestures, uniforms, languages and accents, customs and beliefs (3) "The media" says things on TV but the media is "out there" (especially if you keep hearing things that we don't like), so we must distinguish ourselves from others "out there" and develop different explanations for events. After a while certain patterns and categories emerge and we must keep them separate to maintain our existing understanding of in- versus out-groups ... like "the liberal media" (most GOPers) "real America" (Palin) etc. Liberals are above this .... I am picking on conservatives who are more likely to spin wacky conspiracies (except for JFK of course ..)
In-group, out-group joke of the day: "Nobody goes to Coney Island anymore. It gets too crowded!" 
==========================
John W. Kulig, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Coordinator, Psychology Honors
Plymouth State University
Plymouth NH 03264
==========================
John W. Kulig, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Coordinator, Psychology Honors
Plymouth State University
Plymouth NH 03264
==========================
From: "Michael Britt" <mich...@thepsychfiles.com>
To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <tips@fsulist.frostburg.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2013 12:33:38 PM
Subject: [tips] Conspiracy lovers
Okay, Quick question: why do some people want to believe that there's a conspiracy going on? I'm thinking the usual: that we didn't land on the moon, that the twin towers were destroyed by the US, etc.
Michael A. Britt, Ph.D.
mich...@thepsychfiles.com
http://www.ThePsychFiles.com
Twitter: mbritt
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To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <tips@fsulist.frostburg.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2013 12:33:38 PM
Subject: [tips] Conspiracy lovers
Michael A. Britt, Ph.D.
mich...@thepsychfiles.com
http://www.ThePsychFiles.com
Twitter: mbritt
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