All Outputs (26)

Upholding social hierarchies: Social Dominance Orientation moderates the link between (intergroup) conspiracy exposure and violent extremism (2024)
Journal Article

Across two experimental studies, we explored whether exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories can increase violent reactions towards targeted groups. We also examined how ideological attitudes may moderate the effect. In Study 1 (N = 160, pre-regis... Read More about Upholding social hierarchies: Social Dominance Orientation moderates the link between (intergroup) conspiracy exposure and violent extremism.

Sexism and Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs: Hostile Sexism Moderates the Link Between Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs and Rape Myth Acceptance (2024)
Journal Article

This research examined the effect of belief in feminist conspiracy theories and sexist ideology on endorsing rape myths. Study 1 (N = 201) uncovered that the relationship between feminist conspiracy beliefs and rape myth acceptance was conditional on... Read More about Sexism and Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs: Hostile Sexism Moderates the Link Between Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs and Rape Myth Acceptance.

The impact of conspiracy beliefs on a targeted group: Perceived popularity of Jewish‐targeted conspiracy beliefs elicits outgroup avoidant behaviours (2023)
Journal Article

In three studies with Jewish participants, we explored the consequences of intergroup conspiracy theories on those targeted. In Study 1 (N = 250), perceived Jewish conspiracy theory popularity was positively associated with intergroup threat and nega... Read More about The impact of conspiracy beliefs on a targeted group: Perceived popularity of Jewish‐targeted conspiracy beliefs elicits outgroup avoidant behaviours.

Refusing to Pay Taxes: Loneliness, Conspiracy Theorizing, and Non-Normative Political Action (2023)
Journal Article

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... Read More about Refusing to Pay Taxes: Loneliness, Conspiracy Theorizing, and Non-Normative Political Action.

More than a prejudice reduction effect: Positive intergroup contact reduces conspiracy theory beliefs (2023)
Journal Article

Emerging research suggests intergroup contact has broader implications than prejudice reduction. In three studies, we explored whether positive intergroup contact may serve as a means to reduce conspiracy beliefs. Study 1 (n = 287, pre‐registered) de... Read More about More than a prejudice reduction effect: Positive intergroup contact reduces conspiracy theory beliefs.

‘But wait, that isn't real’: A proof‐of‐concept study evaluating ‘Project Real’, a co‐created intervention that helps young people to spot fake news online (2023)
Journal Article

As misinformation is one of the top risks facing the world today, it is vital to ensure that young people have the confidence and skills to recognize fake news. Therefore, we used co-creation to develop an intervention (called ‘Project Real’) and tes... Read More about ‘But wait, that isn't real’: A proof‐of‐concept study evaluating ‘Project Real’, a co‐created intervention that helps young people to spot fake news online.

Bullying and Conspiracy Theories: Experiences of Workplace Bullying and the Tendency to Engage in Conspiracy Theorizing (2022)
Journal Article

Experiences of bullying in the workplace can increase anxiety, paranoia, and hypervigilance to threat in victims. Such factors are also associated with conspiracy beliefs. Two preregistered studies (cross-sectional and experimental) tested whether bu... Read More about Bullying and Conspiracy Theories: Experiences of Workplace Bullying and the Tendency to Engage in Conspiracy Theorizing.

Shining a spotlight on the dangerous consequences of conspiracy theories (2022)
Journal Article

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated how conspiracy beliefs–that explain important events as the secret actions of the powerful–can severely impact health choices (such as reduced infection-prevention behaviours). However, the consequences of conspi... Read More about Shining a spotlight on the dangerous consequences of conspiracy theories.

Practical recommendations to communicate with patients about health‐related conspiracy theories (2022)
Journal Article

Health-related conspiracy theories often advance the argument that information is being kept secret from the public by powerful individuals or groups within the government or health industry. They are widespread and are associated with important heal... Read More about Practical recommendations to communicate with patients about health‐related conspiracy theories.

A social norms approach intervention to address misperceptions of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs amongst UK parents (2021)
Journal Article

Anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs among parents can reduce vaccination intentions. Parents’ beliefs in anti-vaccine conspiracy theories are also related to their perceptions of other parents’ conspiracy beliefs. Further, research has shown that parents... Read More about A social norms approach intervention to address misperceptions of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs amongst UK parents.

Examining the links between conspiracy beliefs and the EU “Brexit” referendum vote in the UK: Evidence from a two-wave survey (2021)
Journal Article

This research examined the link between conspiracy beliefs and political decisions in the context of the 2016 European Union referendum in the United Kingdom. In a longitudinal study, we surveyed British participants at two-time points (one week befo... Read More about Examining the links between conspiracy beliefs and the EU “Brexit” referendum vote in the UK: Evidence from a two-wave survey.

“If they believe, then so shall I”: Perceived beliefs of the in-group predict conspiracy theory belief (2021)
Journal Article

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

Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories: Development and validation of the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ) (2021)
Journal Article

Four studies (total n=961) developed and validated the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ). Initial items were developed in collaboration with teachers. An exploratory factor analysis (Study 1, n=208, aged 11–14) and a student focus gr... Read More about Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories: Development and validation of the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ).

Discrimination, HIV conspiracy theories and pre-exposure prophylaxis acceptability in gay men (2020)
Journal Article

Background: Combination prevention, which includes pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is essential for achieving the zero HIV infections target in the UK by 2030. It is important to assess attitudes towards PrEP in at-risk populations. This study focus... Read More about Discrimination, HIV conspiracy theories and pre-exposure prophylaxis acceptability in gay men.

Conspiracy Theories in the Classroom: Problems and Potential Solutions (2020)
Journal Article

Conspiracy narratives and speculative rumors of a conspiracist nature are intermittently popular in youth culture, as well as in political discourse. The general motivations of conspiracy beliefs relate to essential needs (for knowledge, to feel safe... Read More about Conspiracy Theories in the Classroom: Problems and Potential Solutions.

Oral hygiene effects verbal and nonverbal displays of confidence (2020)
Journal Article

Although oral hygiene is known to impact self-confidence and self-esteem, little is known about how it influences our interpersonal behavior. Using a wearable, multi-sensor device, we examined differences in consumers’ individual and interpersonal co... Read More about Oral hygiene effects verbal and nonverbal displays of confidence.

Looking out for myself: Exploring the relationship between conspiracy mentality, perceived personal risk, and COVID?19 prevention measures (2020)
Journal Article

Objectives. This research examined how conspiracy mentality may affect compliance with preventive health measures necessary to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and the underlying motivations to comply. Design and Method. We conducted two cross-sectional... Read More about Looking out for myself: Exploring the relationship between conspiracy mentality, perceived personal risk, and COVID?19 prevention measures.

Pylons ablaze: Examining the role of 5G COVID?19 conspiracy beliefs and support for violence (2020)
Journal Article

Amid increased acts of violence against telecommunication engineers and property, this pre?registered study (N = 601 Britons) investigated the association between beliefs in 5G COVID?19 conspiracy theories and the justification and willingness to us... Read More about Pylons ablaze: Examining the role of 5G COVID?19 conspiracy beliefs and support for violence.

Consequences of conspiracy theories (2020)
Book Chapter

This chapter outlines what is known to date, and reviews the psychological research on the positive and negative consequences of conspiracy theories. It argues that future research efforts should attempt to address the negative psychological and beha... Read More about Consequences of conspiracy theories.

Exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories promotes prejudice which spreads across groups (2019)
Journal Article

This research experimentally examined the effects of exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories on prejudice and discrimination. Study 1 (N=166) demonstrated that exposure to conspiracy theories concerning immigrants to Britain from the European Unio... Read More about Exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories promotes prejudice which spreads across groups.