Believing in conspiracy theories is related to non-normative tendencies, such as lower social and political engament, or lower adherence to norms guiding everyday interactions such as holding the door for someone who has a lot to carry

Belief in Conspiracy Theories and Non-normative Behavior. Lotte Pummerer. Current Opinion in Psychology, June 18 2022, 101394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101394

Highlights

• Believing in conspiracy theories is related to non-normative behaviors.

• This non-normative behavior is a natural consequence of a different social reality.

• This social reality is characterized by distrust and a different perception of norms.

• Taking into account the social reality of conspiracy belief can improve interventions.

Abstract: There are many examples of people believing in conspiracy theories showing non-normative behaviors. But why is this the case? The current contribution proposes that the non-normative behavior of people believing in conspiracy theories is a natural consequence of a different social reality that is associated with the belief in conspiracy theories. This social reality is characterized by a tendency for distinction and distrust in social relationships, a different perception of descriptive norms, a questioning of the injunctive norms regarding specific behaviors, lower trust in institutions and traditional authorities, as well as alternative norms among people believing in conspiracy theories.

Keywords: conspiracy theoryconspiracy mentalitysocial normsnon-normative behaviorcollective actionintervention