Reducing Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Cover Image

Reducing Conspiracy Theory Beliefs
Reducing Conspiracy Theory Beliefs

Author(s): Ana Stojanov
Subject(s): Political psychology, Social psychology and group interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Personality Psychology, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Društvo psihologa Srbije
Keywords: beliefs in conspiracy theories; experiential/intuitive information processing system; interventions; debunking;

Summary/Abstract: This study aimed to look at possible ways to reduce beliefs in conspiracy theories and increase the intention to have a fictitious child vaccinated. One hundred and sixty participants answered an online questionnaire. Three groups were used. The control group did not read any text prior to answering whereas the two experimental groups read either only debunking information or information about the motives of the conspiracists and the fallacy in their reasoning in addition to the debunking paragraph. The second experimental manipulation was effective in reducing medical conspiracy theories beliefs, but not belief in conspiracy theories in general. Neither intervention was effective in increasing the likelihood to have a fictitious child vaccinated. Those not intending to vaccinate a fictitious child endorsed conspiracy theories to a greater degree. A positive correlation between beliefs in conspiracy theories and the experiential/intuitive information processing system was found.

  • Issue Year: 48/2015
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 251-266
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English