Paranoid beliefs and conspiracy mentality are associated with different forms of mistrust: A three-nation study

Anton P Martinez; Mark Shevlin; Carmen Valiente; Philip Hyland; Richard P Bentall

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1023366

Paranoid beliefs and conspiracy mentality are associated with different forms of mistrust: A three-nation study

Anton P Martinez, Mark Shevlin, Carmen Valiente, Philip Hyland, Richard P Bentall

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Abstract

Paranoia and conspiracy are terms typically used interchangeably. However, although the underlying content of these types of beliefs might be similar (e.g., seeing others as powerful and threatening), recent research suggests that these constructs differ in important ways. One important feature shared by both constructs is excessive mistrust but this aspect might play different roles in each belief system. In this study we explored the strength of associations of different trust predictors (i.e., trust in institutions, trust in sources of information, perceptual trust, and interpersonal trust) between conspiracy mentality and paranoid beliefs. We tested this association in a large representative multinational sample (United Kingdom = 2025; Spain = 1951; and Ireland = 1041). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model of conspiracy and paranoid beliefs in each nation sample. Path and equality of constraints analysis revealed that paranoia was more strongly associated with perceptual mistrust (bias towards mistrusting unfamiliar faces) whereas conspiracy was more strongly associated with mistrust in political institutions. Although interpersonal mistrust and trust in social sources of information were associated significantly with conspiracy their association with paranoid beliefs was stronger. These findings clarify the role of different trust processes in both belief systems. Limitations of this study are discussed. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.]

Original language	English
Article number	1023366
Pages (from-to)	1-11
Number of pages	11
Journal	Frontiers in Psychology
Volume	13
Early online date	18 Oct 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1023366
Publication status	Published online - 18 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Data collected in the United Kingdom was supported by funding from The University of Sheffield, Ulster University and subsequently supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (grant ref. ES/V004379/1). Data collected in Ireland was funded by the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council under the COVID-19 Pandemic Rapid Response Funding Call (COV19-2020-025). Data from Spain was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PSI2016-74987-P) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00737) and funds from the UCM for consolidated research groups (GR29/20).

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.

Copyright © 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.

Keywords

conspiracy mentality
trustworthiness
paranoid beliefs
interpersonal trust
institutional trust
trust in sources
multi-nation study

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1023366

fpsyg-13-1023366Final published version, 396 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Paranoid beliefs and conspiracy mentality are associated with different forms of mistrust: A three-nation study",

abstract = "Paranoia and conspiracy are terms typically used interchangeably. However, although the underlying content of these types of beliefs might be similar (e.g., seeing others as powerful and threatening), recent research suggests that these constructs differ in important ways. One important feature shared by both constructs is excessive mistrust but this aspect might play different roles in each belief system. In this study we explored the strength of associations of different trust predictors (i.e., trust in institutions, trust in sources of information, perceptual trust, and interpersonal trust) between conspiracy mentality and paranoid beliefs. We tested this association in a large representative multinational sample (United Kingdom = 2025; Spain = 1951; and Ireland = 1041). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model of conspiracy and paranoid beliefs in each nation sample. Path and equality of constraints analysis revealed that paranoia was more strongly associated with perceptual mistrust (bias towards mistrusting unfamiliar faces) whereas conspiracy was more strongly associated with mistrust in political institutions. Although interpersonal mistrust and trust in social sources of information were associated significantly with conspiracy their association with paranoid beliefs was stronger. These findings clarify the role of different trust processes in both belief systems. Limitations of this study are discussed. [Abstract copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.]",

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note = "Funding Information: Data collected in the United Kingdom was supported by funding from The University of Sheffield, Ulster University and subsequently supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (grant ref. ES/V004379/1). Data collected in Ireland was funded by the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council under the COVID-19 Pandemic Rapid Response Funding Call (COV19-2020-025). Data from Spain was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PSI2016-74987-P) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00737) and funds from the UCM for consolidated research groups (GR29/20). Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall. Copyright {\textcopyright} 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.",

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N2 - Paranoia and conspiracy are terms typically used interchangeably. However, although the underlying content of these types of beliefs might be similar (e.g., seeing others as powerful and threatening), recent research suggests that these constructs differ in important ways. One important feature shared by both constructs is excessive mistrust but this aspect might play different roles in each belief system. In this study we explored the strength of associations of different trust predictors (i.e., trust in institutions, trust in sources of information, perceptual trust, and interpersonal trust) between conspiracy mentality and paranoid beliefs. We tested this association in a large representative multinational sample (United Kingdom = 2025; Spain = 1951; and Ireland = 1041). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model of conspiracy and paranoid beliefs in each nation sample. Path and equality of constraints analysis revealed that paranoia was more strongly associated with perceptual mistrust (bias towards mistrusting unfamiliar faces) whereas conspiracy was more strongly associated with mistrust in political institutions. Although interpersonal mistrust and trust in social sources of information were associated significantly with conspiracy their association with paranoid beliefs was stronger. These findings clarify the role of different trust processes in both belief systems. Limitations of this study are discussed. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.]

AB - Paranoia and conspiracy are terms typically used interchangeably. However, although the underlying content of these types of beliefs might be similar (e.g., seeing others as powerful and threatening), recent research suggests that these constructs differ in important ways. One important feature shared by both constructs is excessive mistrust but this aspect might play different roles in each belief system. In this study we explored the strength of associations of different trust predictors (i.e., trust in institutions, trust in sources of information, perceptual trust, and interpersonal trust) between conspiracy mentality and paranoid beliefs. We tested this association in a large representative multinational sample (United Kingdom = 2025; Spain = 1951; and Ireland = 1041). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model of conspiracy and paranoid beliefs in each nation sample. Path and equality of constraints analysis revealed that paranoia was more strongly associated with perceptual mistrust (bias towards mistrusting unfamiliar faces) whereas conspiracy was more strongly associated with mistrust in political institutions. Although interpersonal mistrust and trust in social sources of information were associated significantly with conspiracy their association with paranoid beliefs was stronger. These findings clarify the role of different trust processes in both belief systems. Limitations of this study are discussed. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Martinez, Shevlin, Valiente, Hyland and Bentall.]

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KW - paranoid beliefs

KW - interpersonal trust

KW - institutional trust

KW - trust in sources

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JO - Frontiers in Psychology

JF - Frontiers in Psychology

M1 - 1023366

ER -

Paranoid beliefs and conspiracy mentality are associated with different forms of mistrust: A three-nation study

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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