Belief in conspiracy theories: The influence of uncertainty and perceived morality

By J. Prooijen, N. Jostmann. 2013

302 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Subfields: Cognitive Neuroscience, Literature and Literary Theory, Sociology and Political Science

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/1d18637abb4d5afa227ce67fd903f12c614a8897

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Cognitive Neuroscience

1. David G. Rand
2. Robbie M. Sutton
3. Karen M. Douglas
4. Gordon Pennycook
5. A. Cichocka
6. Thomas H. Costello
7. J. Prooijen
8. J. Uscinski

In Literature and Literary Theory

1. Gordon Pennycook
2. David G. Rand
3. Robbie M. Sutton
4. Karen M. Douglas
5. Thomas H. Costello
6. A. Cichocka
7. J. Prooijen
8. Adrian Furnham

In Sociology and Political Science

1. Karen M. Douglas
2. Robbie M. Sutton
3. David G. Rand
4. Gordon Pennycook
5. J. Prooijen
6. A. Cichocka
7. Emily K. Vraga
8. Leticia Bode

Citations in the corpus

• COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs: Relations with anxiety, quality of life, and schemas (2021, unknown): “…Prooijen, 2020; Van Prooijen & Douglas, 2017) and in situations characterized by increased uncertainty, anxiety, and perceived lack of control (Bruder et al., 2013; GrzesiakFeldman, 2013; Van Prooijen & Acker, 2015; Van Prooijen & Douglas, 2017; Van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013; Whitson et al., 2015).”
• Understanding Conspiracy Theories (2019, result): “Consistent with this analysis, research suggests that belief in conspiracy theories is stronger under conditions of uncertainty (van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013).”
• When consequence size predicts belief in conspiracy theories: The moderating role of perspective taking (2014, background): “A recent study partially resolved this paradox by revealing that subjective uncertainty increases conspiracy beliefs when people believe leaders to be immoral, but decreases conspiracy beliefs when people believe leaders to be moral (Van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013).”
• Putting the stress on conspiracy theories: Examining associations between psychological stress, anxiety, and belief in conspiracy theories (2016, background): “In addition to being stressful, such events also increase feelings of uncertainty, confusion, and existential threat (van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013).”
• Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI (2024, background): “Popular explanations propose that people adopt conspiracy theories to sate underlying psychic “ needs ” or motivations, such as thedesirefor control over one ’ s environment and experiences ( 15 ), certainty and predictability ( 20 ), security and stability ( 21 ), and uniqueness ( 22 ).”
• Does Self-Love or Self-Hate Predict Conspiracy Beliefs? Narcissism, Self-Esteem, and the Endorsement of Conspiracy Theories (2016, unknown): “…Imhoff & Bruder, 2014), lack of personal control (Whitson & Galinsky, 2008; cf. Bruder, Haffke, Neave, Nouripanah, & Imhoff, 2013), uncertainty (Van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2012; Whitson, Galinsky, & Kay, 2015), and being a member of a disadvantaged group (Abalakina-Paap et al., 1999; Crocker,…”
• See Something, Say Something: Correction of Global Health Misinformation on Social Media (2018, background): “…be especially relevant in this context, given the uncertainty surrounding the Zika virus, distrust in authorities like the Brazilian government (van Prooijen & Jostmann, 2013), and the relative insularity of conspiracy theorists as a community on social media — a community that is particularly…”