Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
385(6714)
Published: Sept. 12, 2024
Conspiracy
theory
beliefs
are
notoriously
persistent.
Influential
hypotheses
propose
that
they
fulfill
important
psychological
needs,
thus
resisting
counterevidence.
Yet
previous
failures
in
correcting
conspiracy
may
be
due
to
counterevidence
being
insufficiently
compelling
and
tailored.
To
evaluate
this
possibility,
we
leveraged
developments
generative
artificial
intelligence
engaged
2190
believers
personalized
evidence-based
dialogues
with
GPT-4
Turbo.
The
intervention
reduced
belief
by
~20%.
effect
remained
2
months
later,
generalized
across
a
wide
range
of
theories,
occurred
even
among
participants
deeply
entrenched
beliefs.
Although
the
focused
on
single
conspiracy,
nonetheless
diminished
unrelated
conspiracies
shifted
conspiracy-related
behavioral
intentions.
These
findings
suggest
many
can
revise
their
views
if
presented
sufficiently
evidence.
Journal of Social Issues,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
81(1)
Published: Feb. 18, 2025
ABSTRACT
Science
denialism
is
at
the
heart
of
many
conspiracy
theory
beliefs.
We
propose
that
such
beliefs
are
manifestations
a
distal
social
process:
spite.
In
three
pre‐registered
studies,
we
test
hypothesis
established
predictors
these
(epistemic,
existential,
and
motives)
specific
cues
competitive
disadvantage
provoke
common
facultative
“spiteful”
psychological
response,
making
person
more
open
to
believing
in
theories.
Study
1
(
N
=
301;
UK
representative
Prolific
sample),
found
spite
mediated
relationship
between
realistic
threat
in‐group
narcissism
(social
motives),
political
powerlessness
(existential
motive),
intolerance
for
uncertainty
(epistemic
belief
COVID‐19
conspiracies.
This
pattern
was
replicated
2
405;
sample).
3
those
who
engaged
spite‐inducing
task
reported
higher
levels
which
indirectly
resulted
stronger
The
overall
results
provides
initial
evidence
may
play
role
why
people
engage
with
false
information.
Research
policy
implications
findings
discussed.
Conspiracy
theories
are
a
paradigmatic
example
of
beliefs
that,
once
adopted,
extremely
difficult
to
dispel.
Influential
psychological
propose
that
conspiracy
uniquely
resistant
counterevidence
because
they
satisfy
important
needs
and
motivations.
Here,
we
raise
the
possibility
previous
attempts
correct
have
been
unsuccessful
merely
failed
deliver
was
sufficiently
compelling
tailored
each
believer’s
specific
theory
(which
vary
dramatically
from
believer
believer).
To
evaluate
this
possibility,
leverage
recent
developments
in
generative
artificial
intelligence
(AI)
well-argued,
person-specific
debunks
total
N
=
2,190
believers.
Participants
our
experiments
provided
detailed,
open-ended
explanations
believed,
then
engaged
3
round
dialogue
with
frontier
AI
model
(GPT-4
Turbo)
which
instructed
reduce
participant’s
belief
their
(or
discuss
banal
topic
control
condition).
Across
two
experiments,
find
robust
evidence
debunking
conversation
reduced
by
roughly
20%.
This
effect
did
not
decay
over
2
months
time,
consistently
observed
across
wide
range
different
theories,
occurred
even
for
participants
whose
were
deeply
entrenched
great
importance
identities.
Furthermore,
although
dialogues
focused
on
single
theory,
intervention
spilled
unrelated
conspiracies,
indicating
general
decrease
conspiratorial
worldview,
as
well
increasing
intentions
challenge
others
who
espouse
chosen
conspiracy.
These
findings
highlight
many
people
strongly
believe
seemingly
fact-resistant
can
change
minds
face
sufficient
evidence.
Journal of Social Issues,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
81(1)
Published: March 1, 2025
ABSTRACT
Conspiracy
theories
attempt
to
explain
events
and
circumstances
by
attributing
them
the
supposed
secret
actions
of
powerful,
malevolent
groups.
Due
their
associations
with
potentially
harmful
non‐normative
behaviors
at
both
individual
collective
levels,
researchers
have
expressed
particular
concern
over
conspiracy
that
malign
science.
To
better
understand
such
beliefs,
we
conducted
a
national
US
survey
gauge
respondents’
agreement
11
science‐related
political,
psychological,
social
characteristics.
We
find
beliefs
in
specific
represent
two
unique
factors
are
(i)
related
including
political
violence,
vaccine
refusal,
sharing
false
information
online,
(ii)
undergirded
range
personality
traits
attitudes.
conclude
discussing
potential
role
leaders
propagating
implications
for
preventing
or
reversing
theory
beliefs.
Health Affairs,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
42(12), P. 1738 - 1746
Published: Nov. 15, 2023
Governments,
public
health
authorities,
and
social
media
platforms
have
employed
various
measures
to
counter
misinformation
that
emerged
during
the
COVID-19
pandemic.
The
effectiveness
of
those
interventions
is
poorly
understood.
We
analyzed
fifty
papers
published
between
January
1,
2020,
February
24,
2023,
understand
which
interventions,
if
any,
were
helpful
in
mitigating
misinformation.
found
evidence
supporting
accuracy
prompts,
debunks,
literacy
tips,
warning
labels,
overlays
either
spread
or
belief
However,
by
mapping
different
characteristics
each
study,
we
levels
variation
weaken
current
base.
For
example,
only
18
percent
studies
included
health-related
measures,
such
as
intent
vaccinate,
tested
against
ranged
considerably
from
conspiracy
theories
(vaccines
include
microchips)
unproven
claims
(gargling
with
saltwater
prevents
COVID-19).
To
more
clearly
discern
impact
make
actionable
for
health,
field
urgently
needs
experts
intervention
design
develop
a
typology;
agreed-upon
outcome
measures;
global,
longitudinal,
video-based,
platform-diverse
studies.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: June 20, 2024
Abstract
Despite
hundreds
of
studies
examining
belief
in
conspiracy
theories,
it
is
still
unclear
who—
demographically
—is
most
likely
to
believe
such
theories.
To
remedy
this
knowledge
gap,
we
examine
survey
data
containing
various
operationalizations
conspiracism
across
diverse
sociopolitical
contexts.
Study
1
employs
a
2021
U.S.
(n
=
2021)
associations
between
sociodemographic
characteristics
and
beliefs
39
2
similarly
20
countries
26,416)
11
theory
beliefs.
3
reports
results
from
2020
2015)
measuring
perceptions
about
which
groups
are
engaging
conspiracies.
4
interrogates
nine
surveys
(2012–2022;
n
14,334)
the
relationships
generalized
thinking.
5
synchronizes
1–4
provide
an
intersectional
analysis
belief.
Across
studies,
observe
remarkably
consistent
patterns:
education,
income,
age
(older),
White
identification
negatively
related
conspiracism,
while
Black
positively
related.
We
conclude
by
discussing
why
theories
may
appeal
historically
marginalized
how
our
findings
can
inform
efforts
mitigate
negative
effects
Journal of Intelligence,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11(10), P. 194 - 194
Published: Oct. 9, 2023
In
this
study,
we
explore
the
transformative
impact
of
artificial
intelligence
(AI)
on
job
market
and
argue
for
growing
importance
critical
thinking
skills
in
face
automation
changing
work
dynamics.
Advancements
AI
have
potential
to
disrupt
various
professions,
including,
example,
programming,
legal
work,
radiology.
However,
solely
relying
systems
can
lead
errors
misjudgments,
emphasizing
need
human
oversight.
The
concept
"job-proof
skills"
is
introduced,
highlighting
thinking,
problem-solving,
empathy,
ethics,
other
attributes
that
machines
cannot
replicate
with
same
standards
agility.
We
maintain
be
taught
learned
through
appropriate
classroom
instruction
transfer-focused
approaches.
further
reinforced
by
influx
information
spread
misinformation
age
social
media.
Moreover,
employers
increasingly
value
their
workforce,
yet
there
exists
a
gap
between
demand
these
preparedness
college
graduates.
Critical
not
only
essential
future
but
also
informed
citizenship
an
complex
world.
disruption,
wages,
employment
polarization
discussed,
correlation
jobs
requiring
resistance
automation.
conclude
discussing
collaborative
efforts
universities
labor
organizations
adapt
curricula
promote
development
skills,
drawing
examples
from
European
initiatives.
prioritize
education
address
evolving
demands
emphasized
as
crucial
step
navigating
opportunities
workers.
Social Psychological and Personality Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 4, 2024
Although
conspiracy
theories
exhibit
varying
degrees
of
plausibility
as
explanations
for
societal
events,
they
are
typically
considered
epistemically
problematic.
Since
normative
ascriptions
not
essential
to
their
definition,
we
sought
examine
whether
judgments
(im)plausible
have
different
psychological
underpinnings.
In
two
preregistered
studies
(
N
=
563),
the
fictitious
was
operationalized
by
pretest
ratings
(Study
1)
or
experimentally
manipulating
supporting
information
in
a
belief
updating
paradigm
2).
While
general
suspicious
mind-set
mentality
associated
with
perceiving
greater
consensually
plausible
theories,
this
markedly
stronger
implausible
theories.
Cognitive
variables
were
only
negatively
attributing
deemed
implausible.
The
results
suggest
that
perspective,
along
limited
cognitive
skills
and
rational
thinking
dispositions,
is
related
biased
underweighting
disconfirming
them.
PsycEXTRA Dataset,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
There
is
widespread
concern
that
misinformation
poses
dangerous
risks
to
health,
well-being,
and
civic
life.Despite
a
growing
body
of
research
on
the
topic,
significant
questions
remain
about
(a)
psychological
factors
render
people
susceptible
misinformation,
(b)
extent
which
it
affects
real-world
behavior,
(c)
how
spreads
online
offline,
(d)
intervention
strategies
counter
correct
effectively.This
report
reviews
best
available
science
reach
consensus
each
these
crucial
questions,
particularly
as
they
pertain
health-related
misinformation.In
addition,
offers
eight
specific
recommendations
for
scientists,
policymakers,
health
professionals
who
seek
recognize
respond
in
care
beyond.
British Journal of Social Psychology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: June 18, 2024
Abstract
Conspiracy
theories
introduce
a
democratic
paradox,
as
belief
in
conspiracy
predicts
support
for
both
and
non‐democratic
political
systems.
In
this
article,
we
explore
whether
anti‐democratic
attitudes,
resulting
from
beliefs,
can
be
mutually
exclusive.
Study
1
(
United
Kingdom
,
N
=
293
),
show
that
is
associated
with
decreased
representative
democracy,
increased
direct
anarchism,
autocracy
within
the
same
individuals.
2
States
302
pre‐registered
experimentally
perceived
presence
of
conspiracies
linked
to
an
preference
democracy.
Mediational
analyses
suggest
widespread
dissatisfaction
status
quo
and,
less
consistently,
feelings
cynicism
mediate
relationships
between
beliefs
(anti‐)democratic
attitudes.
3
400
manipulate
(dis)satisfaction
quo.
Results
indicate
rejecting
increases
decreases
Overall,
our
findings
people
who
believe
tend
favour
alternatives,
largely
attributed
citizens'
desire
change
