The dark side of meaning-making: How social exclusion leads to superstitious thinking
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Experiences of ostracism cause people to believe in superstitions and conspiracy theories.
“Experimental results suggest that experiences of ostracism cause people to believe in superstitions and conspiracy theories, apparently as part of an effort to make sense of their experience (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
From The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (2017) · cites this paper as Graeupner & Coman, 2017
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Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response
Bavel, J. J. V., Baicker, K., Boggio, P. S., Capraro, V., Cichocka, A., Cikara, M., Crockett, M. J., Crum, A. J., Douglas, K. M., Druckman, J. N., et al. (2020) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-020-0884-z · Cited by 4,964 · see citing works
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The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
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“Experimental results suggest that experiences of ostracism cause people to believe in superstitions and conspiracy theories, apparently as part of an effort to make sense of their experience (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
BackgroundDouglas, K. M. (2021) · Group Processes & Intergroup Relations · doi:10.1177/1368430220982068 · Cited by 404 · see citing works
“Increased social isolation is also associated with increased conspiracy belief (Graeupner & Coman, 2017), and so as people endure longer periods of lockdown and restrictions on social gatherings during the pandemic, a vicious cycle may follow.”
BackgroundThe illusion of explanatory depth and endorsement of conspiracy beliefs
Vitriol, J. A., & Marsh, J. K. (2018) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2504 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
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“Specifically, Graeupner and Coman (2017) found that measured ostracism is positively associated with conspiracy beliefs (Study 1) and that experimentally induced ostracism increases superstitious beliefs (Study 2).”
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Individual, intergroup and nation-level influences on belief in conspiracy theories
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“In the context of conspiracy theories, experiences of ostracism could make people more likely to hold conspiracy beliefs (Graeupner and Coman 2017), and at the same time render the already challenging task of refuting them even more difficult.”
BackgroundConspiracy beliefs and the individual, relational, and collective selves
Biddlestone, M., Green, R., Cichocka, A. K., Sutton, R. M., & Douglas, K. M. (2021) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12639 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
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The role of system identity threat in conspiracy theory endorsement
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Increased conspiracy beliefs among ethnic and Muslim minorities
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Using Social and Behavioural Science to Support COVID-19 Pandemic ResponsePreprint
Bavel, J. J. V., D, K. B. A., Boggio, P. S., Capraro, V., Cichocka, A. K., Cikara, M., Crockett, M. J., Crum, A. J., Douglas, K. M., Druckman, J. N., et al. (2022) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4178356 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
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“…such as the destruction of interpersonal relationships (Douglas & Leite, 2017), reduction of environmental behaviours (Jolley & Douglas, 2014), and weakening in political participation (Douglas & Sutton, 2008), are far-reaching (Jolley, 2013; Jolley & Douglas, 2017; van Prooijen & Douglas, 2018).”
BackgroundOf precarity and conspiracy: Introducing a socio‐functional model of conspiracy beliefs
Adam‐Troian, J., Chayinska, M., Paladino, M. P., Uluğ, Ö. M., Vaes, J., & Wagner‐Egger, P. (2022) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12597 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
“Some studies showed that experiencing loss of control and threats to one's identity is related to conspiracy beliefs (e.g. Graeupner & Coman, 2017; van Prooijen & Acker, 2015; Whitson & Galinsky, 2008).”
BackgroundLantian, A., Müller, D., Nurra, C., Klein, O., Berjot, S., & Pantazi, M. (2018) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/bgzt4 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Unfounded beliefs among teachers: The interactive role of rationality priming and cognitive ability
Adam-Troian, J., Caroti, D., Arciszewski, T., & Ståhl, T. (2019) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.3547 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“This method relies on bootstrapping to provide for 95% CIs to the regression parameter estimates (see Hayes, 2017).”
MethodThe Role of Cognitive Biases In Conspiracy Beliefs: A Literature Review
Gagliardi, L. (2023) · Social Science Research Network · doi:10.1111/joes.12604 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“…of racial and ethnic stigmatized minorities (e.g., Thorburn & Bogart, 2005), of low-income groups (e.g., Mao et al., 2020) and ostracized people (Graeupner & Coman, 2017), show a higher endorsement of CTs. Finally, other social psychologists and political scientists (e.g., Uscinski et al.,…”
Priming Resistance to Persuasion decreases adherence to Conspiracy Theories*
Bonetto, E., Troian, J., Varet, F., Monaco, G. L., & Girandola, F. (2018) · Social Influence · doi:10.1080/15534510.2018.1471415 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Current social-psychological investigation of CB provides converging evidence for their role as threat regulating beliefs that satisfy individuals’ epistemic and control needs (e.g., Graeupner & Coman, 2017; Whitson & Galinsky, 2008).”
Social devaluation of African Americans and race‐related conspiracy theories
Davis, J. R., Wetherell, G. A., & Henry, P. J. (2018) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2531 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Hettich, N., Beutel, M., Ernst, M., Schliessler, C., Kampling, H., Kruse, J., & Braehler, E. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263301 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“This matches findings about the association between feelings of social exclusion and conspiracy beliefs [61, 62].”
Emotion dysregulation and belief in conspiracy theories
Molenda, Z., Green, R., Marchlewska, M., Cichocka, A., & Douglas, K. M. (2023) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2022.112042 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Bell, V., Velthorst, E., Almansa, J., Myin‐Germeys, I., Shergill, S. S., & Fett, A.-K. J. (2023) · Schizophrenia Research Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.scog.2023.100282 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“Others showed that social exclusion and isolation can lead to the occurrence of psychotic experiences, and paranoid delusions in particular (Graeupner and Coman, 2017; Selten and Cantor-Graae, 2005).”
BackgroundAdam‐Troian, J., Baidada, O., Arciszewski, T., Apostolidis, T., Çelebi, E. Y., & Yurtbakan, T. (2019) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/ab.21863 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Superstition in health beliefs: Concept exploration and development
Hoseini, A. S. S., Taher, M., Pashaeypoor, S., Cheraghi, M., & Karimy, M. (2020) · Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care · doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_871_19 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Based on boundaries, superstition has two main types: personal superstition, which is the person’s ideas about the malevolence of certain days, places, and even hospitals,[6,36] and social superstition, which is rooted in people’s culture, such as the belief in good and bad luck.[13]”
BackgroundInfluentialGeng, J., Wang, Y., Wang, P., Zeng, P., & Lei, L. (2021) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605211028285 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Moreover, this result was connected with the notion that superstitious thinking can be negatively related to presence of meaning in life (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
BackgroundResultGeneric Conspiracist Beliefs Scale – Polish adaptation of the method
Siwiak, A., Szpitalak, M., & Polczyk, R. (2023) · Polish Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.24425/ppb.2019.130699 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Believing in conspiracy theories is also linked to the fear of social exclusion (Graeupner & Coman, 2017; Lantian et al., 2018).”
BackgroundKrok, D., & Zarzycka, B. (2020) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2020.1772702 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“…led to higher well-being and better adjustment, particularly if satisfactory and constructive meaning was formed (Park, 2016), although ineffective and protracted meaning-making efforts caused harmful cognitive or emotional consequences (Graeupner & Coman, 2017; Thomsen et al., 2016).”
BackgroundAwake together: Sociopsychological processes of engagement in conspiracist communities
Wagner‐Egger, P., Bangerter, A., Delouvée, S., & Diéguez, S. (2022) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101417 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Loneliness trajectories over three decades are associated with conspiracist worldviews in midlife
Bierwiaczonek, K., Fluit, S., von Soest, T., Hornsey, M., & Kunst, J. (2024) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-024-47113-x · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Psychosocial and behavioural consequences of ostracism across contexts
Chen, Z., Poon, K., Jiang, T., & Teng, F. (2025) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00393-y · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Stall, L. M., & Petrocelli, J. V. (2022) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.3998 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Schnepf, J., Lux, A., Jin, Z., & Formanowicz, M. (2021) · Journal of Language and Social Psychology · doi:10.1177/0261927x211044789 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Many studies have confirmed the first path of the ETM showing that experiences of social exclusion lead to increased endorsement of conspiracy theories (Graeupner & Coman, 2017; Poon et al., 2020).”
Li, Z., Zhao, M., Liu, H., Yanan, L. I. U., & Peng, K. (2018) · Advances in Psychological Science · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1042.2018.02192 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“…人们大多数时候是关心生活的目的, 愿意探索生 命意义问题的。这项研究还显示, 虽然高意义体 验水平的大多数人缺乏继续寻找意义的动力, 但 确实有少部分个体, 虽然意义体验水平已经很高, 但仍然报告拥有寻求意义的强烈动机。更重要的 是, 生命意义寻求与一些象征积极品质的人格特 征相联系, 表明意义寻求至少是一部分人的持续 性动机。比如, Steger 等发现, 生命意义寻求与开 放性、专注和探寻兴趣(Investigative interests)等特 质强相关(Steger et al., 2008b)。Vess, Routledge, Landau 和 Arndt…”
InfluentialAl-Tarawneh, F., Ali, T., Al-Tarawneh, A. A., Altwalbeh, D., Gogazeh, E., Bdair, O. A., & Algaralleh, A. (2023) · Patient Preference and Adherence · doi:10.2147/ppa.s390997 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“These ideas affect how people respond to treatments, health, and psychological needs.(25)”
BackgroundUnderstanding Conspiracy Online: Social Media and the Spread of Suspicious Thinking
Mortimer, K. (2017) · Dalhousie Journal of Interdisciplinary Management · doi:10.5931/djim.v13i1.6928 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Graeupner and Coman (2016) uncovered in experimental studies that a feeling of social exclusion results in higher endorsement of conspiracy theories.”
BackgroundInfluentialGenesis and dissemination of a controversial disease: Chronic Lyme
Gocko, X., Tattevin, P., & Lemogne, C. (2020) · Infectious Diseases Now · doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2020.09.026 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Mækelæ, M. J., Reggev, N., Defelipe, R. P., Dutra, N. B., Tamayo, R. M., Klevjer, K., & Pfuhl, G. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.661149 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Albath, E. A., Greifeneder, R., Douglas, K. M., Cichocka, A. K., Marques, M. D., Wilson, M., Kerr, J. R., Sibley, C. G., & Osborne, D. (2024) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672241292841 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Alternatively, threats to meaning in life may trigger a search for , but not necessarily a loss in , meaning (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
A network analysis on the relationship between loneliness and schizotypy
Chau, A. K. C., So, S. H., Sun, X., Zhu, C., Chiu, C., Chan, R. C. K., & Leung, P. W. L. (2022) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.057 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Caroti, D., Adam‐Troian, J., & Arciszewski, T. (2022) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.3969 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Kim, S., Stavrova, O., & Vohs, K. D. (2022) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104396 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“The findings also pertain to research suggesting links between negative social influences, such as threats to a positive ingroup image (Cichocka et al., 2016) or social exclusion (Graeupner & Coman, 2017), and conspiracy beliefs.”
Gkinopoulos, T., Pagliaro, S., Pacilli, M. G., Bilewicz, M., Teresi, M., & Ballone, C. (2023) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.3002 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Eshel, Y., Kimhi, S., Marciano, H., & Adini, B. B. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.04.042 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Empirical evidence shows that conspiracy theories are positively correlated with anxiety (Grzesiak-Feldman, 2013), supported by the perception that society is under threat (Jolley et al., 2018), and that fundamental social values are deteriorating (Federico et al., 2018).”
Zwar, L., König, H., & Hajek, A. (2022) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-022-03177-0 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“While Graeupner and Coman [58] showed that social exclusion increases conspiracy beliefs, there are various findings supporting the opposite direction of conspiracy mentality as endangering or decreasing perceived social isolation and loneliness.”
BackgroundThe myth of regaining control: Ostracism increases superstitious tendencies
Poon, K., Wong, N. H., Lai, H., & Jiang, Y. (2022) · British Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjop.12606 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Sirola, A., Savolainen, I., & Oksanen, A. (2024) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2024.112709 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Morisseau, T., Origgi, G., & Branch, T. Y. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708751 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“In addition, people are more attracted to conspiracy theories when important psychological needs are frustrated, for instance when feeling socially excluded (Graeupner and Coman, 2017).”
BackgroundWhen alienated from society, conspiracy theory belief gives meaning to life
Schnell, T., Viviani, R., Lenz, C., & Krampe, H. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34557 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“However, turning towards conspiracy theory belief when searching for meaning does not seem to elicit the desired sense of meaningfulness [35,36].”
Political affiliation moderates subjective interpretations of COVID-19 graphs
Ericson, J. D., Albert, W., & Duane, J.-N. (2022) · Big Data & Society · doi:10.1177/20539517221080678 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“…if their way of life is being threatened (Blumenthal-Barby and Burroughs, 2012), which can lead to selfish or panicked behavior (O’Keefe and Reid, 1990), self-isolation (Graeupner and Coman, 2017), prejudices (Kofta et al., 2020), or blaming others for negative outcomes (Douglas et al., 2017).”
BackgroundWaldeck, D., Pancani, L., Morris, E. M. J., Adie, J. W., Holliman, A. J., & Tyndall, I. T. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-04008-8 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Social Marginalization Motivates Indiscriminate Sharing of COVID-19 News on Social Media
Jun, Y., & Johar, G. V. (2020) · Journal of the Association for Consumer Research · doi:10.1086/711932 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Of Precarity and Conspiracy: Introducing A Socio-Functional Model of Conspiracy BeliefsPreprint
Adam‐Troian, J., Chayinska, M., Paladino, M. P., Uluğ, Ö. M., Vaes, J., & Wagner‐Egger, P. (2021) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/mnfrd · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Panerati, S., & Salvati, M. (2025) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12866 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Jolley, D., Paterson, J. L., & Thomas, R. A. (2023) · Social Psychology · doi:10.1027/1864-9335/a000529 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Adam-Troian, J., Wagner-Egger, P., Motyl, M., Arciszewski, T., Imhoff, R., Zimmer, F., Klein, O., Babińska, M., Bangerter, A., Bilewicz, M., et al. (2020) · Political Psychology · doi:10.31234/osf.io/nzg7x · Cited by 75 · see citing works
“In line with these findings, experimental investigations have shown that threats to control (van Prooijen & Acker, 2015; Whitson & Galinsky, 2008) and identity (Graeupner & Coman, 2017) increase CTs.”
ResultGkinopoulos, T., Teresi, M., Ballone, C., Çakmak, H., Pacilli, M. G., & Pagliaro, S. (2024) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-024-00962-z · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Also, previous literature confirms this claim by evidencing a positive association between social exclusion and conspiratorial thinking (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
Reveling in Mayhem: The Need for Chaos in Pandemic Psychology
Alam, R., & Vitriol, J. (2025) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/josi.12661 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Teličák, P., & Haľama, P. (2021) · Studia Psychologica · doi:10.31577/sp.2021.02.820 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Many sources of EUB have been studied in recent years including social (Graeupner & Coman, 2017), personality (Lobato et al., 2014) or cognitive ones (Ståhl & Van Prooijen, 2018).”
BackgroundGoing beyond simplicity: Using machine learning to predict belief in conspiracy theories
Brandenstein, N. (2022) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2859 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
The culture of flat earth and its consequences
Erlaine, D. M. (2020) · Journal of Science & Popular Culture · doi:10.1386/jspc_00019_1 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
The macropsychology of COVID-19: Psychological governance as pandemic response.
McVeigh, J., & MacLachlan, M. (2021) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0000909 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
How Belief in Conspiracy Theories Addresses Some Basic Human Needs
Wheeler, E. A. (2020) · Identity in a changing world · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-38270-4_11 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
de Lima-Lopes, R. E. (2018) · Letras · doi:10.5902/2176148531226 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Frenken, M., & Imhoff, R. (2025) · Political Psychology · doi:10.1111/pops.70034 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Furthermore, feelings of social exclusion can lead to conspiracy and superstitious beliefs, mediated through the search for meaning (Graeupner & Coman, 2017).”
Valsecchi, N., Cristofaro, V. D., Pellegrini, V., Salvati, M., & Giacomantonio, M. (2025) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2025.113338 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Gordon, D. S., & Birney, M. E. (2025) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/josi.12662 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Hämpke, J., Kerry, N., & Clifton, J. D. W. (2025) · Global Environmental Psychology · doi:10.5964/gep.12057 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Previous research has already showed that the experience of social exclusion can lead to changes in individuals’ world views (e.g., Graeupner & Coman, 2017; Lin, 2023).”
Conspiracy Theories About the Pandemic of COVID-19 and Their Function on the Greek Internet
Κακάμπουρα, Ρ., & Nounanaki, A.-L. (2022) · Advances in human and social aspects of technology book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-6684-4461-0.ch004 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Priming Resistance to Persuasion decreases adherence to Conspiracy TheoriesPreprint
Bonetto, É., Adam‐Troian, J., Varet, F., Monaco, G. L., & Girandola, F. (2018) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/3dh59 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Terenzi, D., Muth, A.-K., Vermeer, A. B. L., & Park, S. Q. (2022) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1006043 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Previous research on ostracism, a form of social exclusion, has suggested that one of its most important consequences is indeed conspiratorial thinking (19, 20).”
BackgroundCultural Appropriation for Improved Knowledge Acquisition in Medical Education
Ahmed, S., Hegazy, N. N., Amin, H. A. A., Ismail, M., Al-Akid, Y. F. A. E.-M., & Kumar, A. (2024) · Advances in Medical Education and Practice · doi:10.2147/amep.s450484 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“19 People tend to become more superstitious when they cannot control the course of events or outcomes.”
BackgroundАфанасьева, Ю. А., Соколов, Б. О., & Широканова, А. А. (2023) · Monitoring obŝestvennogo mneniâ: èkonomičeskie i socialʹnye peremeny · doi:10.14515/monitoring.2023.5.2375 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
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Murray, S. L., Xia, J., Lamarche, V. M., Seery, M. D., McNulty, J. K., Griffin, D. W., Ward, D. E., Jung, H. Y., Hicks, L. L., & Dubois, D. (2023) · Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100111 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The roles of need frustration and regulatory focus in conspiratorial thinking
Hunsinger, M., & Parker, M. (2025) · Learning and Motivation · doi:10.1016/j.lmot.2025.102188 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Cantarero, K., van Tilburg, W. A. P., Gąsiorowska, A., & Igou, E. R. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.945692 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Influence of fear on anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and behaviour against vaccination
Malas, O. (2023) · Revista de PSICOLOGÍA DE LA SALUD · doi:10.21134/pssa.v11i1.321 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Ozono, H., & Sakakibara, R. (2023) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.4142 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Leveraging Motivations to Curb Misinformation
Saucier, C. J., Calabrese, C., & Walter, N. (2025) · Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications · doi:10.1027/1864-1105/a000481 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Ančić, B., & Cepić, D. (2021) · Sociologija i prostor · doi:10.5673/sip.59.0.7 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
de Lima-Lopes, R. E. (2024) · Digital Studies / Le champ numérique · doi:10.16995/dscn.15132 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Clinical practice in an age of medical misinformation and conspiracy theories
Choo, L. X., Ng, I. K., Tan, L. F., & Teo, D. B. S. (2025) · Internal Medicine Journal · doi:10.1111/imj.16588 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“46 In addition, conspiracy belief has also been linked to prejudice against powerful groups 47 – who may be the sources of true information.”
Neurocomputational mechanisms of maladaptive behaviors in loneliness
Bellucci, G., Imada, H., Fett, A.-K. J., & Ito, A. (2025) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2025.07.007 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Panerati, S., Pellegrini, V., Cristofaro, V. D., & Salvati, M. (2026) · Group Processes & Intergroup Relations · doi:10.1177/13684302261438633 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…endorsement of LGBTQ + conspiracy beliefs, which, in turn, have been associated with harmful consequences, such as promoting their social exclusion (Graeupner & Coman, 2017), perpetuating stereotypes about LGBTQ + people (e.g., rich and powerful; Bettinsoli et al., 2022), stoking intergroup…”
Changing the Conspiracy Mindset
Flaskerud, J. H. (2021) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840.2021.1898861 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Substance Use On Campus: Exploring the Implications of Paranormal Beliefs
Heitkamp, A., Mowen, T. J., & Boman, J. H. (2022) · American Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1007/s12103-022-09671-y · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Impacts of Fake News and Conspiracy Theory
Burns, R. B. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-99-1710-5_3 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The effects of agentic and communal traits and conspiracy beliefs on covid-19 beliefs and behaviors
Nagurney, A. J., Sauceda, E., & Mendoza, L. (2024) · Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry · doi:10.15406/jpcpy.2024.15.00768 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Samayoa, J. A. G., Moore, C. A., Ruisch, B. C., Ladanyi, J. T., & Fázio, R. H. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0319896 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Other experimental work has found that people report greater belief in conspir-acy theories when induced to experience uncertainty, a lack of control, or ostracism [7].”
Gundersen, A., Biddlestone, M., & Kunst, J. R. (2025) · Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology · doi:10.1177/17470218251396952 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Previous research has linked conspiracy beliefs to feelings of exclusion (Biddlestone et al., 2025; Graeupner & Coman, 2017) and social isolation (Moulding et al., 2016).”
Health Literacy: The Most Neglected Essential Human Quality
Mohiuddin, A. K. (2023) · South Asian Research Journal of Applied Medical Sciences · doi:10.36346/sarjams.2023.v05i01.002 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Nowakowska, I., & Zarazińska, A. (2023) · Studies in Psychology Estudios de Psicología · doi:10.1080/02109395.2023.2207300 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Identifying resilience factors of distress and paranoia during the COVID-19 pandemicPreprint
Mækelæ, M. J., Reggev, N., Dutra, N. B., Tamayo, R. M., Defelipe, R. P., Klevjer, K., & Pfuhl, G. (2021) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/2e3n5 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kempkens, O. H. (2023) · Vestnik Universiteta · doi:10.26425/1816-4277-2023-7-220-232 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Graeupner, D., & Coman, A.
- Affiliations
- Princeton University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Coman, Alin
- Venue
- Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-03
- Volume
- 69
- Pages
- 218-222
- ISSN
- 0022-1031 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2530554041
- Cited by
- 162
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 18.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- erratum (2023-05-01)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- social exclusion, meaning-making, conspiracy beliefs, conspiracy theories, superstition, search for meaning, social inclusion, belief dynamics
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