Working memory and need for cognition influence beliefs in conspiracy theories

We raise the hypotheses that there is a main effect of Working Memory (WM) as well as an interaction between WM and Need for Cognition (NC) on subjects’ propensity towards believing in conspiracy theories. An empirical study confirms that subjects with high WM capacities tend to hold conspiratorial...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of cognitive psychology (Hove, England) Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 457 - 463
Main Author Bliznashki, Svetoslav
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hove Taylor & Francis Ltd 18.05.2024
Subjects
Cognition & reasoning
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ISSN2044-5911
2044-592X
DOI10.1080/20445911.2024.2335108

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Summary:We raise the hypotheses that there is a main effect of Working Memory (WM) as well as an interaction between WM and Need for Cognition (NC) on subjects’ propensity towards believing in conspiracy theories. An empirical study confirms that subjects with high WM capacities tend to hold conspiratorial beliefs to a lesser extent than subjects with lower WM capacities. An interaction effect was also present as beliefs in conspiracy theories tended to increase with increasing levels of NC for subjects with low WM capacities but to decrease for subjects showing both high WM capacities and high NC levels. Reported results persist in the presence of paranoid ideations (a strong and reliable predictor of conspiratorial beliefs) as a control measure.
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ISSN:2044-5911
2044-592X
DOI:10.1080/20445911.2024.2335108