University of Twente Student Theses
Understanding Conspiracy Beliefs in Times of Societal Change : Exploring the Role of Psychological Traits and Well-Being in Conspiracy Theory Mentality
Schwarz, Laura (2024) Understanding Conspiracy Beliefs in Times of Societal Change : Exploring the Role of Psychological Traits and Well-Being in Conspiracy Theory Mentality.
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| Abstract: | Purpose: Conspiracy theories are increasingly prevalent and pose dangers for society. Hence, this study aimed to contribute more insights into the psychological traits that might have an association with conspiracy theories, addressing the lack of consensus and mixed results in studies. Thus, need for cognitive closure, learned helplessness as well as societal change concerns were chosen to contribute more clarity on their association with conspiracy theory mentality, which is the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories. Furthermore, the study explored whether poor well-being (stress, social well-being, and self-esteem) mediates the relationship between the constructs and conspiracy theory mentality since its role in conspiracy theory mentality has been overlooked so far. Method: To test these associations, an online questionnaire was developed including scales that measured all constructs. 110 participants (female = 79, male = 31) between the ages of 18 and 71 were recruited with convenience sampling, snowball sampling, and random sampling methods, including students from the University of Twente and contacts. The data was analyzed in R studio performing multiple linear regressions and mediation analyses. Results: Significant positive effects of need for cognitive closure (p < 0.01**) and societal change concerns (p = 0.049*) on conspiracy theory mentality were found. Stress seemed to be significantly positively associated with conspiracy theory mentality (p = 0.034*) as the only well-being subfactor. Lack of control (a subfactor of learned helplessness) (p < 0.01**) and societal change concerns (p = 0.025*) showed a positive association with stress. However, a mediating effect of stress within the relationship of the constructs and conspiracy theory mentality could not be confirmed. Conclusion: In this study the well-being subfactors stress, social well-being, and self-esteem did not mediate the relationship between the constructs and conspiracy theory mentality. However, the fact that stress seems to be associated with both the constructs and conspiracy theory mentality independently, suggest a need for further research into why stress may be associated with conspiracy theory mentality. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100344 |
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