Abstract Although many psychological and sociological factors have been implicated in the development of conspiracy theory (CT) beliefs, analytical thinking has considered a key protective factor. However, it is not clear if engaging systematic or rigorous information searching always protective, particularly this involves confirmation bias lack scientific reasoning. For example, higher scores on autistic traits, which are commonly associated with tendency to engage searching, found be...

Conspiracy theory (CT) beliefs are thought to be related a number of individual differences that make certain individuals more prone this style reasoning. In study, we investigate (a) the relationship between CT and standardized measure judgment (the Bias Against Disconfirmatory Evidence task or BADE) (b) extent which BADE scores specific measures psychopathology, including schizotypy delusion-proneness, as measured by Peters et al.’s Delusions Inventory. The is an evidence integration bias...

ABSTRACT In recent years increased interest towards the growth of political polarisation in many Western countries has focussed on extreme conservative views. However, less is known about ideologies opposing end spectrum that may also lead to antisocial activist behaviour and suppression dissenting viewpoints. This study aimed explore factors associated with these beliefs a particular focus postmodern role psychological distress as predictors what been termed left‐wing authoritarianism. A...

People are exposed to misinformation about dieting practices every day on social media which can influence their health and wellbeing. While research has largely focused general vulnerabilities strategies counteract its spread, limited work examined how specific harmful content, such as dietary misinformation, influences vulnerable groups, particularly those at risk of eating disorders (EDs). This study investigated whether individuals an ED were more likely endorse Dietary Misinformation....

Abstract Conspiracy theory (CT) beliefs have become an important policy‐relevant research area since the events of COVID‐19 pandemic. Increasing interest has been directed towards strategies that might reduce people's susceptibility to conspiratorial beliefs. In this study, we examined whether encouraging a stronger orientation critical scientific appraisal accounts could CT acceptance. After completing baseline measures related and analytical reasoning abilities, total 700 adults were...

Background Conspiracy Theories (CT) are complex belief systems that view the world as being manipulated by multiple actors collaborating in pursuit of malevolent goals. Although culture, education and sociological factors have been implicated their development, psychological recognized important. Certain individual differences, including schizotypy cognitive processing style, shown to make some individuals susceptible CTs. However, finding often co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder raises...

Engagement in responsible or 'positive play' strategies is known to be negatively associated with problem gambling, as indexed by measures such the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Less about whether positive play reduced harm a greater ability enjoy recreational benefits of gambling.This study investigated relationship between and gambling after controlling for PGSI scores moderated harm. It also examined was related perceived gambling.The utilised an online panel sample 554...

Schizotypal and autistic traits have both been implicated in the development of conspiracy theory (CT) beliefs. However, there are similarities differences between these that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to CT Past research has often taken a variable-centred approach which assumes relationships among distinct variables (i.e. schizotypy, traits) homogenous. Given circumstances, Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used assess extent within-individual variation schizotypal,...

People who engage in gambling are known to hold erroneous views about the nature of gambling. One most commonly observed cognitive biases is illusion control, where people’s subjective appraisal contingency between behavior and events greater than objective contingency. Such beliefs have been found be strongest problem gamblers can lead over-confidence ability win money from A question, however, whether such perceptions (a) specific display a tendency over-estimate contingencies everyday...

Background People with higher levels of autistic traits are shown to be more likely endorse conspiracy theories and misinformation on traditional methods measurement (e.g., self-report). However, such research has been limited by the lack a naturalistic measure theory endorsement that resembles social media platforms.

BACKGROUND: Conspiracy theories (CTs) have proliferated in recent years due to the ease with which information can now be disseminated via social media. Research indicates that a much-focused attention on specific topics or increase risk of conspiracy reasoning. Given individuals autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits are known display these tendencies, this paper examined whether pattern information-searching, and socio-cognitive factors associated CT beliefs, differ for people scoring lower...