The Composite Conspiracy Belief (CCB) Scale: Development, Validation, and Distinction From Related Constructs

Abstract

Conspiracy thinking is a multidimensional construct, studied both as a general disposition (conspiracy mindset) and as adherence to specific narratives (conspiracy beliefs). Despite research interest, distinguishing generic conspiracy thinking from related constructs (e.g., paranoid, magical thinking) remains a challenge. The present study aims to develop and validate the composite conspiracy belief (CCB) scale, a new measure of conspiracy thinking that distinguishes itself from similar thinking styles and captures different conspiracy tendencies. Two studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 380) examined the factorial structure of CCB, hypothesizing a third-order hierarchical model based on semi-specific conspiracy narratives: “source of threat” and “type of threat.” Study 2 (N = 364) evaluated the differentiation of CCB from magical thinking, social persecution, and generalized suspiciousness. The analyses confirmed the construct, convergent, and incremental validity.