Refusing to Pay Taxes: Loneliness, Conspiracy Theorizing, and Non-Normative Political Action

Jolley, Daniel; Paterson, Jenny; Thomas, Rebecca

Abstract

Conspiracy theorising can motivate non-normative intentions (e.g., tax evasion and violence). However, less is known about the contributors of these conspiracy-inspired intentions or if they translate into behaviours. Two studies (N = 1,155) found a positive correlation between loneliness and conspiracy theorising, which in turn related to non-normative intentions. Study 3 (n = 234) provided further evidence of these relationships through serial mediations: participants who remembered a lonely experience (vs. control) reported feeling lonelier, which was positively linked to conspiracy beliefs, and subsequently associated with non-normative intentions and a new behavioural measure (actual tax evasion). While our findings consistently link loneliness to conspiracy theorising and non-normative actions, future research utilising longitudinal designs would bolster confidence in our theoretical framework.

Citation

Jolley, D., Paterson, J., & Thomas, R. (2023). Refusing to Pay Taxes: Loneliness, Conspiracy Theorizing, and Non-Normative Political Action. Social Psychology, 54(5), 308-319. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000529

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 9, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 11, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 30, 2023
• Journal: Social Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1864-9335
• Electronic ISSN: 2151-2590
• Publisher: Hogrefe
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 308-319
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000529
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21644665
• Publisher URL: https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1864-9335/a000529
• Additional Information: This version of the article may not completely replicate the final authoritative version published in Social Psychology at https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000529. It is not the version of record and is therefore not suitable for citation.