A5087650169- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
- Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
- Media Influence and Health
- Social Media and Politics
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Cultural Differences and Values
- Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence
- Team Dynamics and Performance
- Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Media Influence and Politics
- Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies
- Deception detection and forensic psychology
- Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Communication in Education and Healthcare
- Climate Change Communication and Perception
- Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Digital Communication and Language
- Technology Use by Older Adults
- Early Childhood Education and Development
University of Kent
2016-2025
Udayana University
2023
University of Florida
2023
Eötvös Loránd University
2023
Neami National
2022
La Trobe University
2022
Massey University
2022
Federation University
2022
Deakin University
2022
Maqsut Narikbayev University
2022
Scholarly efforts to understand conspiracy theories have grown significantly in recent years, and there is now a broad interdisciplinary literature. In reviewing this body of work, we ask three specific questions. First, what factors are associated with beliefs? Our review the literature shows that beliefs result from range psychological, political, social factors. Next, how communicated? Here, explain shared among individuals spread through traditional media platforms. societal risks...
The current studies investigated the potential impact of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, and exposure to theories, on vaccination intentions. In Study 1, British parents completed a questionnaire measuring beliefs in theories likelihood that they would have fictitious child vaccinated. Results revealed significant negative relationship between This effect was mediated by perceived dangers vaccines, feelings powerlessness, disillusionment mistrust authorities. 2, participants were exposed...
What psychological factors drive the popularity of conspiracy theories, which explain important events as secret plots by powerful and malevolent groups? are consequences adopting these theories? We review current research find that it answers first questions more thoroughly than second. Belief in theories appears to be driven motives can characterized epistemic (understanding one's environment), existential (being safe control social (maintaining a positive image self group). However,...
Smartphones allow people to connect with others from almost anywhere at any time. However, there is growing concern that smartphones may actually sometimes detract, rather than complement, social interactions. The term “phubbing” represents the act of snubbing someone in a setting by concentrating on one’s phone instead talking person directly. current study was designed examine some psychological antecedents and consequences phubbing behavior. We examined contributing roles Internet...
In the present contribution, we examine link between societal crisis situations and belief in conspiracy theories. Contrary to common assumptions, theories has been prevalent throughout human history. We first illustrate historical incidents suggesting that situations-defined as impactful rapid change calls established power structures, norms of conduct, or even existence specific people groups into question-have stimulated then review psychological literature explain why this is case....
Conspiracy theories can form a monological belief system: A self-sustaining worldview comprised of network mutually supportive beliefs. The present research shows that even incompatible conspiracy are positively correlated in endorsement. In Study 1 ( n = 137), the more participants believed Princess Diana faked her own death, they she was murdered. 2 102), Osama Bin Laden already dead when U.S. special forces raided his compound Pakistan, he is still alive. Hierarchical regression models...
The current studies explored the social consequences of exposure to conspiracy theories. In Study 1, participants were exposed a range theories concerning government involvement in significant events such as death Diana, Princess Wales. Results revealed that information supporting reduced participants' intentions engage politics, relative who given refuting This effect was mediated by feelings political powerlessness. 2, issue climate change. reduce their carbon footprint, information, or...
Abstract This research experimentally investigated the social consequences of “phubbing” – act snubbing someone in a setting by concentrating on one's mobile phone. Participants viewed three‐minute animation which they imagined themselves as part dyadic conversation. Their communication partner either phubbed them extensively, partially, or not at all. Results revealed that increased phubbing significantly and negatively affected perceived quality relationship satisfaction. These effects...
In this introduction to the EJSP Special Issue on conspiracy theories as a social psychological phenomenon, we describe how emerging research domain has developed over past decade and distill four basic principles that characterize belief in theories. Specifically, are consequential they have real impact people's health, relationships, safety; universal them is widespread across times, cultures, settings; emotional given negative emotions not rational deliberations cause beliefs; beliefs...
We hypothesised that belief in conspiracy theories would be predicted by the general tendency to attribute agency and intentionality where it is unlikely exist. further this explain relationship between education level theories, lower levels of have been found associated with higher belief. In Study 1 (N = 202) participants were more likely agree a range if they also tended inanimate objects. As predicted, accounted for link theories. replicated finding 2 330), whilst taking into account...
Abstract The current research tested if explicit anti‐conspiracy arguments could be an effective method of addressing the potentially harmful effects anti‐vaccine conspiracy theories. In two studies, participants were presented with either before, or after reading in favor popular theories concerning vaccination. both increased intentions to vaccinate a fictional child but only when prior This effect was mediated by belief and perception that vaccines are dangerous. These findings suggest...
Conspiracy theories started to appear on social media immediately after the first news about COVID-19. Is virus a hoax? it bioweapon designed in Chinese laboratory? These conspiracy typically have an intergroup flavour, blaming one group for having some involvement either manufacturing or controlling public opinion it. In this article, I will discuss why people are attracted general, and seem flourished during pandemic. what consequences of these individuals, groups, societies. then...
The current study investigated cultural and psychological factors associated with intentions to reduce the spread of COVID‐19. Participants ( n = 704) completed measures individualism–collectivism, belief in conspiracy theories about COVID‐19, feelings powerlessness, engage behaviours that Results revealed vertical individualism negatively predicted social distancing, directly indirectly through both COVID‐19 powerlessness. Vertical collectivism positively distancing directly. Horizontal...
A common assumption is that belief in conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena are grounded illusory pattern perception. In the present research we systematically tested this assumption. Study 1 revealed such irrational beliefs related to perceiving patterns randomly generated coin toss outcomes. 2, search instructions exerted an indirect effect on through 3 chaotic but not structured paintings predicted beliefs. 4, found agreement with texts supporting paranormal or 5, manipulated a...
This research experimentally examined the effects of exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories on prejudice and discrimination. Study 1 (N = 166) demonstrated that concerning immigrants Britain from European Union (vs. anti-conspiracy material or a control) exacerbated towards this group. 2 173) found same effect in different context - about Jewish people increased group reduced participants' willingness vote for political candidate. Finally, 3 114) not only but was indirectly associated...
We designed, in French and English, a single-item scale to measure people's general tendency believe conspiracy theories. The validity reliability of this was assessed 3 studies (total N = 555). In Study 1 (N 152), positive correlations between the other belief scales on student sample suggested good concurrent validity. 2 292), we replicated these results larger more heterogeneous Internet American sample. Moreover, showed predictive validity—responses predicted participants' willingness...
Belief in conspiracy theories is associated with negative outcomes such as political disengagement, prejudice, and environmental inaction. The current studies - one cross-sectional (N = 253) experimental 120) tested the hypothesis that belief would increase intentions to engage everyday crime. Study 1 demonstrated predicted crime behaviours when controlling for other known predictors of (e.g., Honesty-Humility). 2 exposure (vs. control) increased future, through an feeling anomie. perception...
During the initial phase of COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. conservative politicians and media downplayed risk both contracting effectiveness recommended health behaviors. Health behavior theories suggest perceived vulnerability to a threat health-protective behaviors determine motivation follow recommendations. Accordingly, we predicted that-as result politicization pandemic-politically Americans would be less likely enact In two longitudinal studies residents, political conservatism was inversely...
BackgroundImmunosuppressive treatments inhibit vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated whether a 2-week interruption of methotrexate treatment immediately after the COVID-19 vaccine booster improved antibody responses S1 receptor-binding domain (S1-RBD) SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with uninterrupted in patients immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.MethodsWe did an open-label, prospective, two-arm, parallel-group, multicentre, randomised, controlled, superiority trial...