“If they believe, then so shall I”: Perceived beliefs of the in-group predict conspiracy theory belief

Cookson, Darel; Jolley, Daniel; Dempsey, Robert C.; Povey, Rachel

Abstract

Conspiracy beliefs are widespread and can have detrimental consequences. As perceived social norms can exert a powerful influence on individuals, we investigated the relationship between perceived conspiracy belief norms and personal endorsement, and whether others’ conspiracy belief is overestimated. In Study 1, UK university students (N = 111) completed measures of their personal conspiracy beliefs and estimations of others’ beliefs (an in-group and an out-group they chose, and a prescribed in-group). Perceived in-groups’ belief strongly predicted personal conspiracy belief; perceived out-group’s belief did not. Studies 2 and 3 replicated these findings in a British community sample (N = 177) and in a UK parent sample (N = 197), focusing on antivaccine conspiracy theories. All studies demonstrated that people overestimate the conspiracy beliefs of others. This is the first demonstration of the association between perceived in-group conspiracy belief social norms and individuals’ personal conspiracy beliefs. Interventions challenging misperceived norms could be effective in reducing conspiracy beliefs.

Citation

Cookson, D., Jolley, D., Dempsey, R. C., & Povey, R. (2021). “If they believe, then so shall I”: Perceived beliefs of the in-group predict conspiracy theory belief. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 24(5), 759-782. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430221993907

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Aug 3, 2021
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2022
• Journal: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
• Print ISSN: 1368-4302
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7188
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 759-782
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430221993907
• Keywords: conspiracy theories, misperceptions, social identification, social norms
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7505303
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1368430221993907