This book provides new answers to who and psychologically why individuals sometimes adopt conspiracy beliefs and thoughts of violence. Five conspiracy beliefs are considered: Government Malfeasance, Malevolent World Power, Extra-terrestrial Cover-up, Personal Well-being Threat, and Control of Information. Using a survey of 977 US citizens, the book compares thirteen possible demographic characteristics (who?) to see which ones are most associated with extreme beliefs. The book then evaluates a three-step psychological sequence (why?) in which individuals experiencing intense life stressors (health, money, or loneliness), combined with powerlessness (displayed as PTSD symptoms), have increased risk for extreme beliefs, perhaps because they offer a sense of understanding, strength, and community.

Grounded in both current and original research, Minorities and Deviance, expands the definition of stress and its relationship to deviance, providing a better understanding the role stress can play in addiction, obsession, and self-harm. Focusing on ten types of relatively minor deviant behaviors, Pamela Black explores the stress engendered by minority group membership and the associated feelings of powerlessness and how this can serve as a significant source of stress in and of itself, but when combined with other stressors magnifies the possibility of deviance. Using theoretical constructs derived from Robert Agnew's 1992 General Strain Theory, Black tests the effects of not only minority group membership and powerlessness as stressors, but also examines group differences in the effect of more traditional forms of stress: finances, health, and relationships.