The relationship between schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs via cognitive processes

This study sought to replicate previous work showing relationships between components of schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs, and extend it by examining the mediating role of cognitive processes. An international online sample of 411 women and men (mean age = 35.41 years) completed measures of the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2018-01, Vol.259, p.15-20
Main Authors: Barron, David, Furnham, Adrian, Weis, Laura, Morgan, Kevin D., Towell, Tony, Swami, Viren
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytic thinking
Cognitive processes
Conspiracist beliefs
Conspiracy theories
Schizotypy
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Summary:This study sought to replicate previous work showing relationships between components of schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs, and extend it by examining the mediating role of cognitive processes. An international online sample of 411 women and men (mean age = 35.41 years) completed measures of the schizotypal facets of Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference, conspiracist beliefs, and cognitive processes related to need for cognition, analytic thinking, and cognitive insight. Path analysis confirmed the associations between both schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs in the present sample. Confirmatory evidence was found for the association between analytic thinking and conspiracist beliefs, and results also suggested an association between cognitive insight and conspiracist beliefs. Cognitive insight also mediated the link between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference with conspiracist beliefs. However, analytic thinking provided a mediating link to conspiracy ideation for Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and not Ideas of Reference. Finally, there was an association between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and need for cognition, but this path did not extend to conspiracist beliefs. These results suggest possible mediating roles for analytic thinking and self-certainty between schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs. •Belief in conspiracy theories significantly associated with two facets of schizotypy.•Analytic thinking and self-certainty mediate these associations.•Results suggest direct and indirect routes of influence of schizotypy on conspiracy thinking.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.10.001