Factors in Predicting and Preventing Conspiracy Theory Endorsement: An Empirical Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2022

Publication Title

North American Journal of Psychology

ISSN

1527-7143

Abstract

Conspiracy theories are part of mainstream American thought. The profile of a conspiracy theorist is no longer that of a cynical, paranoid, and morally deficient individual but is rather more complex. A relatively recent surge in research on conspiracist ideation and conspiracy theories portrays a dynamic and sometimes contradictory web of factors which include demographic, personality, situational, cultural, and cognitive components all contributing to belief in conspiracy theories. This review works to compile the findings that have empirical consensus, highlight some of the contradictions, and propose a more dynamic theoretical approach and research strategy to incorporate cultural factors into our understanding of, belief in, and consequences of, conspiracy theories.

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