Abstract
The study aims to replicate previous findings on a student and non-student sample - the mid-pointed level of conspiracy beliefs and the relationship of conspiracy beliefs with analytic cognitive style and preference for analytic thinking. A total of 639 Slovak adults (58.7% women; 26.4% students) aged 18-73 years (M = 36.53; SD = 14.94) completed the Slovak Conspiracy Belief Scale, Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, Cognitive Reflection Test, Jellybean Task, Rational-Experiential Inventory, and Master Rationality Motive Scale. Conspiracy beliefs were at the mid-pointed level. There were no differences between students and non-students in their conspiracy beliefs or conspiracy mentality. Women did not differ from men in their conspiracy beliefs but had a more pronounced conspiracy mentality than men. Finally, conspiracy mentality was the strongest predictor of conspiracy belief. Moreover, conspiracy beliefs were also predicted by a lower level of cognitive reflection and motivation for rational integration, and higher age.
Highlights
The study aims to verify the level of conspiracy beliefs and the relationship of conspiracy beliefs with the conspiracy mentality and analytic cognitive style
The research on conspiracy belief predictors revealed analytic thinking as a factor reducing conspiracy beliefs (Ballová Mikušková, 2018; Orosz et al, 2016; Pytlik et al, 2020; Ståhl & van Prooijen, 2018; Stojanov & Halberstadt, 2020) and results of the present study replicated the previous findings (Ballová Mikušková, 2018): Slovaks had a midpoint level of conspiracy beliefs and an analytic cognitive style – cognitive reflection and motivation for rational integration – had a negative effect on conspiracy beliefs
In line with the findings of other studies and the definition of conspiracy mentality as a propensity to general conspiracy beliefs (e.g., Bruder et al, 2013; Dyrendal et al, 2017; Imhoff & Bruder, 2014; Lantian et al, 2016), a conspiracy mentality was the strongest predictor of conspiracy belief
Summary
The study was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki and according to the American Psychological Association standards
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