Beliefs in conspiracy theories and the need for cognitive closure

Leman, Patrick J.; Cinnirella, Marco

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00378

Cited by 237Misinformation and Its ImpactsParanormal Experiences and BeliefsSocial and Intergroup Psychology

Beliefs in conspiracy theories and the need for cognitive closure

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Leman, Patrick J., Cinnirella, Marco·2013·Frontiers in Psychology

DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00378PMC PMC3694217

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Abstract

An important component of conspiracy theories is how they influence, and are influenced by, the evaluation of potential evidence. Some individuals may be more open minded regarding certain explanations for events whereas others may seek closure and thus cut off a conspiracy explanation. Two studies examined the relationship between the need for cognitive closure (NFCC), levels of belief in real world conspiracy theories, and the attribution of conspiracy theories to explain events. A first, small (N = 30) and preliminary study found no relationship between NFCC and beliefs in conspiracy theories, suggesting that both advocates and opponents of conspiracy explanations do not differ on this dimension. A second study (N = 86) revealed that evidence for and against conspiracy theories had an influence on attributions of the likelihood of a conspiracy to explain a novel event. Specifically, after reading evidence individuals with high levels of belief in conspiracy theories tended to rate a conspiracy explanation as more likely whereas those with low levels of belief rated it as less likely. However, when the need for cognitive closure (NFCC) was experimentally lowered the effects of prior beliefs in conspiracy theories diminished.

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Belief in conspiracy theories is stronger when events are especially large in scale or significant and leave people dissatisfied with mundane, small-scale explanations.
“It also appears to be stronger when events are especially large in scale or significant and leave people dissatisfied with mundane, small-scale explanations (Leman & Cinnirella, 2013).”
From The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (2017) · cites this paper as Leman & Cinnirella, 2013

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Authors: Leman, P. J., & Cinnirella, M.
Affiliations: Royal Holloway University of London (GB)
Corresponding author: Leman, Patrick J.
ORCID: Leman, Patrick J.
Cinnirella, Marco
Venue: Frontiers in Psychology
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Published: 2013
Volume: 4
Pages: 378-378
ISSN: 1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00378
PMC: PMC3694217
OpenAlex: W2061321207
Cited by: 237
References: 49
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
FWCI: 14.45
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
Locations: Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
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 theories, need for cognitive closure, conspiracy beliefs, evidence evaluation, prior beliefs, belief updating, openness to experience

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Beliefs in conspiracy theories and the need for cognitive closure

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