Conspiracies, or conspiracy theories, are beliefs shared [Page 139]by people that multiple actors—often powerful individuals within organizations—are working together to accomplish hidden, malevolent, or unlawful goals affecting others. Such beliefs are often resistant to falsifying evidence and tend to be driven by an overarching view that governments, in particular, are purposefully deceiving the general public. This entry defines conspiracies, identifies individual differences and situational factors that influence conspiracy belief, and discusses the relationship between conspiracy belief and political behavior.