Cited by 414Misinformation and Its ImpactsParanormal Experiences and BeliefsSocial and Intergroup Psychology

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Someone is pulling the strings: hypersensitive agency detection and belief in conspiracy theories

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Douglas, Karen M., Sutton, Robbie M., Callan, Mitchell J., Dawtry, Rael J., Harvey, Annelie J.·2016·Thinking & Reasoning

DOI 10.1080/13546783.2015.1051586

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Abstract

We hypothesised that belief in conspiracy theories would be predicted by the general tendency to attribute agency and intentionality where it is unlikely to exist. We further hypothesised that this tendency would explain the relationship between education level and belief in conspiracy theories, where lower levels of education have been found to be associated with higher conspiracy belief. In Study 1 (N = 202) participants were more likely to agree with a range of conspiracy theories if they also tended to attribute intentionality and agency to inanimate objects. As predicted, this relationship accounted for the link between education level and belief in conspiracy theories. We replicated this finding in Study 2 (N = 330), whilst taking into account beliefs in paranormal phenomena. These results suggest that education may undermine the reasoning processes and assumptions that are reflected in conspiracy belief.

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Background
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Trust in information sources as a moderator of the impact of COVID-19 anxiety and exposure to information on conspiracy thinking and misinformation beliefs: a multilevel study
Khalaf, M. A., & Shehata, A. M. K. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01425-7 · Cited by 9
The Conspiratorial Style in Turkish Politics
Nefes, T. S. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190844073.003.0026 · Cited by 9
Conspiracy Thinking, Tolerance, and Democracy
Smallpage, S. M. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190844073.003.0012 · Cited by 9
Comprehending Covidiocy Communication
Spitzberg, B. H. (2021) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119751809.ch2 · Cited by 13
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
Linking paranormal and conspiracy beliefs to illusory pattern perception through signal detection theory
Müller, P., & Hartmann, M. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36230-0 · Cited by 9
Role of Conspiracy Mentality and Paranormal Beliefs in Predicting Conspiracy Beliefs Among Neopagans
Dyrendal, A., Kennair, L. E. O., & Lewis, J. (2018) · International Journal for the Study of New Religions · doi:10.1558/ijsnr.36716 · Cited by 8
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The boycott of Chinese outbound tourists: the influence of the conspiracy theory on human trafficking in Thailand
Lin, X., Yan, L., & Xu, J. B. (2024) · Current Issues in Tourism · doi:10.1080/13683500.2024.2323163 · Cited by 8
“Studies in the major line of reasoning have revealed a negative association between age and conspiracy beliefs (Douglas et al., 2016; Masarwa et al., 2024).”
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“In addition, some researchers have found that lower levels of education (Douglas et al., 2016) and income (J. E. Uscinski & Parent, 2014), as well as being male and being unemployed (Freeman & Bentall, 2017), are positively related to belief in conspiracy theories (Jolley et al., 2020).”
The Status Foundations of Conspiracy Beliefs
Roscigno, S. (2024) · Socius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World · doi:10.1177/23780231241237654 · Cited by 8
“Regarding SES and education in particular, most studies find that higher levels of education are associated with lower levels of conspiracy belief (Douglas et al. 2016; Freeman and Bentall 2017; Uscinski and Parent 2014).”
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Gebauer, F., Raab, M. H., & Carbon, C. (2016) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.3279 · Cited by 8
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On the Rationality of Conspiracy Theories
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The Truth Is Around Here Somewhere
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Why the Powerful (in Weak States) Prefer Conspiracy Theories
Radnitz, S. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190844073.003.0023 · Cited by 8
Conspiracy Theories about Infectious Diseases: An Introduction
Hong, Y., Chan, H., & Douglas, K. M. (2021) · Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology · doi:10.1177/18344909211057657 · Cited by 9
Self-citation
Curious about threats: Morbid curiosity and interest in conspiracy theories in US adults
Scrivner, C., & Stubbersfield, J. (2023) · British Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjop.12682 · Cited by 7
Critical Thinking and the Rejection of Unsubstantiated Claims
Bensley, D. A. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108684354.005 · Cited by 9

Authors: Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R. M., Callan, M. J., Dawtry, R. J., & Harvey, A. J.
Affiliations: University of Kent (GB)
University of Essex (GB)
Anglia Ruskin University (GB)
Corresponding author: Douglas, Karen M.
ORCID: Douglas, Karen M.
Sutton, Robbie M.
Callan, Mitchell J.
Dawtry, Rael J.
Harvey, Annelie J.
Venue: Thinking & Reasoning
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2015-08-18
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Pages: 57-77
ISSN: 1354-6783 (ISSN-L)
1464-0708
DOI: 10.1080/13546783.2015.1051586
OpenAlex: W2282522361
Cited by: 414
References: 84
Citations by year: 2026: 17 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4
FWCI: 84.02
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
doi.org
Licence: public-domain
Locations: Thinking & Reasoning (publishedVersion)
Anglia Ruskin Research Online (Anglia Ruskin University) (acceptedVersion)
Open Access at Essex (University of Essex) (acceptedVersion)
Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
The University of Bath Online Publications Store (The University of Bath) (submittedVersion)
Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Pure (University of Bath) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords: conspiracy beliefs, agency detection, intention attribution, educational attainment, supernatural beliefs, inanimate objects

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Someone is pulling the strings: hypersensitive agency detection and belief in conspiracy theories

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