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The relationship between schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs via cognitive processes

Barron, D; Furnham, A; Weis, L; Morgan, KD; Towell, T; Swami, V; (2018) The relationship between schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs via cognitive processes. Psychiatry Research , 259 pp. 15-20. 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.10.001. Green open access

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Abstract

This study sought to replicate previous work showing relationships between components of schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs, and extend it by examining the mediating role of cognitive processes. An international online sample of 411 women and men (mean age = 35.41 years) completed measures of the schizotypal facets of Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference, conspiracist beliefs, and cognitive processes related to need for cognition, analytic thinking, and cognitive insight. Path analysis confirmed the associations between both schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs in the present sample. Confirmatory evidence was found for the association between analytic thinking and conspiracist beliefs, and results also suggested an association between cognitive insight and conspiracist beliefs. Cognitive insight also mediated the link between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference with conspiracist beliefs. However, analytic thinking provided a mediating link to conspiracy ideation for Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and not Ideas of Reference. Finally, there was an association between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and need for cognition, but this path did not extend to conspiracist beliefs. These results suggest possible mediating roles for analytic thinking and self-certainty between schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs.

Type: Article
Title: The relationship between schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs via cognitive processes
Location: Ireland
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.10.001
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.10.001
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Analytic thinking, Cognitive processes, Conspiracist beliefs, Conspiracy theories, Schizotypy
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10027548
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