Background: Coronavirus-related conspiracy theories (CT) have been found to be associated with fewer pandemic containment-focused behaviors. It is therefore important to evaluate associated cognitive factors. We aimed to obtain first endorsement rate estimates of coronavirus-related conspiracy beliefs in a German-speaking general population sample and investigate whether delusion-related reasoning biases and paranoid ideation are associated with such beliefs.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional non-probability online study, quota-sampled for age and gender, with 1684 adults from Germany and German-speaking Switzerland. We assessed general and specific coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, reasoning biases [jumping-to-conclusions bias (JTC), liberal acceptance bias (LA), bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE), possibility of being mistaken (PM)], and paranoid ideation, using established experimental paradigms and self-report questionnaires.
Results: Around 10% of our sample endorsed coronavirus-related CT beliefs at least strongly, and another 20% to some degree. Overall endorsement was similar to levels observed in a UK-based study (Freeman et al., 2020b). Higher levels of conspiracy belief endorsement were associated with greater JTC, greater LA, greater BADE, higher PM, and greater paranoid ideation. Associations were mostly small to moderate and best described by non-linear relationships.
Conclusions: A noticeable proportion of our sample recruited in Germany and German-speaking Switzerland endorsed coronavirus conspiracy beliefs strongly or to some degree. These beliefs are associated with reasoning biases studied in delusion research. The non-probability sampling approach limits the generalizability of findings. Future longitudinal and experimental studies investigating conspiracy beliefs along the lines of reasoning are encouraged to validate reasoning aberrations as risk factors.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8027560 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721001124 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
People with autistic traits are more likely to engage with misinformation and conspiracy theories in a simulated social media context.
Cogn Neuropsychiatry
December 2024
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
Background: People with higher levels of autistic traits are shown to be more likely to endorse conspiracy theories and misinformation on traditional methods of measurement (e.g., self-report).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRates and Factors Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Racialized and Indigenous Individuals in Canada: The Deleterious Effect of Experience of Racial Discrimination.
J Med Virol
December 2024
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Racialized and Indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 infections and mortality, driven by systemic socioeconomic inequalities. However, how these factors specifically influence COVID-19 vaccine uptake is not documented among racialized individuals in Canada. The present study aims to examine COVID-19 vaccine uptake rates and related factors among racialized and Indigenous communities compared to White people in Canada.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCorrigendum to 'When reality knocks on the door. The effect of conspiracy beliefs on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the moderating role of experience with the virus' [Soc. Sci. Med. Volume 356, September 2024, 117149].
Soc Sci Med
December 2024
National Laboratory For Health Security, HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, 1097, Budapest, Hungary; Faculty of Social Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address:
Although conspiracy belief may arise from a frustration of psychological needs, research has yet to investigate these relationships over time. Using four annual waves of longitudinal panel data in New Zealand (2019-2022; = 55,269), we examined the relationship between four psychological needs (namely belonging, control, meaning in life, and self-esteem) and conspiracy belief. Results from four random-intercept cross-lagged panel models reveal stable between-person effects indicating that those whose core needs are less satisfied tend to exhibit higher levels of conspiracy belief across time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfluencing perception of COVID-19 illness and vaccines using an educational intervention tool in a lower-middle-income country.
J Pak Med Assoc
December 2024
Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
The case-control study was planned to determine if an educational intervention tool could reduce coronavirus disease-2019 vaccine hesitance and resistance in people visiting a tertiary care hospital in a developing country. Participants were randomly enrolled into intervention group A and control group B from July to December 2021. Participants in group A reviewed an educational intervention tool prior to completing a questionnaire, while participants in group B did not.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!