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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6 Citations (Scopus)
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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 languageEnglish
Article number1023366
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume13
Early online date18 Oct 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished 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

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