Seeing meaning even when none may exist: Collectivism increases belief in empty claims

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Cultural Psychology
• Misinformation Studies

Background:

• Individuals often derive meaning from unsubstantiated claims.
• Social connection and belonging can influence belief formation.
• The tendency to find meaning in 'empty claims' warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of collectivism in perceiving meaning in unsubstantiated claims.
• To explore the relationship between social connection and belief in fake news and pseudoscience.
• To examine cross-cultural differences in the interpretation of vague or empty claims.

Main Methods:

• Seven studies with over 16,000 participants from the United States and China.
• Surveys measuring collectivism, belief in fake news, and pseudoscience.
• Experimental manipulations to induce collectivistic mindsets.
• Analysis of meaning-making processes when presented with vague claims.

Main Results:

• Higher collectivism correlates with finding fake news and pseudoscience more meaningful.
• Chinese participants, compared to U.S. participants, perceived more meaning in vague claims.
• Engaging in meaning-making for empty claims increases their perceived meaningfulness.
• Collectivistic tendencies predict increased belief in unsubstantiated claims, especially when social common ground is present.

Conclusions:

• Collectivism, valuing connection and fitting in, fosters the perception of meaning in empty claims.
• Social and cultural factors significantly influence susceptibility to misinformation.
• Understanding collectivism is crucial for addressing the spread of fake news and pseudoscience.