The analytic cognitive style and conspiracy mentality as predictors of conspiracy beliefs

Abstract

The study aims to verify the level of conspiracy beliefs and the relationship of conspiracy beliefs with the conspiracy mentality and analytic cognitive style. A total of 470 participants (49.4% women) aged 18-73 years old (M = 42.35; SD = 13.12) participated in the study. They completed the Slovak Conspiracy Belief Scale, the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, the Cognitive Reflection Test, the Jellybean Task, the Rational-Experiential Inventory, and the Master Rationality Motive Scale. Conspiracy beliefs were at the midpoint level, and the beliefs that participants most trusted were identified. Although conspiracy beliefs correlated negatively with cognitive reflection, denominator neglect and motivation for rational integration and positively with conspiracy mentality and preference for experiential thinking, only conspiracy mentality, cognitive reflection and motivation for rational integration were significant predictors of conspiracy beliefs.