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Thought contagion? Conspiracy beliefs boost paranoid thoughts
Zuzanna Molenda1, Marta Marchlewska1, Adam Karakula1
1Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jaracza 1, Warsaw, 00-378, Poland.
Applied Psychology. Health and Well-Being
|July 20, 2024
Summary
Believing in conspiracy theories can lead to increased paranoid thoughts over time. Exposure to conspiracy theories also heightens paranoia, potentially through intense negative emotions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Conspiracy theories often target specific groups, creating a perception of a dangerous world.
- Previous research suggests a link between conspiracy beliefs and negative psychological outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between conspiracy beliefs and paranoid thoughts.
- To examine the longitudinal and experimental effects of conspiracy exposure on paranoia.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study (N=603) assessed conspiracy beliefs and paranoid thoughts over time.
- Two experimental studies (N=384, N=445) exposed participants to conspiracy theories or control stimuli.
- Study 3 explored the mediating role of negative emotions.
Main Results:
- Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted an increase in paranoid thoughts over time.
- Exposure to conspiracy theories, compared to control stimuli, led to heightened paranoid thoughts.
- Negative intense emotions mediated the effect of conspiracy exposure on paranoia.
Conclusions:
- Conspiracy beliefs and exposure are potential causes of paranoid thoughts.
- Findings highlight the adverse psychological impact of conspiracy theories.
- Interventions to mitigate the negative effects of conspiracy beliefs are important for mental health.
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