The functional nature of conspiracy beliefs: Examining the underpinnings of belief in the Da Vinci Code conspiracy |
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| Authors: | Anna-Kaisa Newheiser Miguel Farias Nicole Tausch |
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| Institution: | aDepartment of Psychology, Yale University, 2 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;bDepartment of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UD, England;cThe School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, St. Mary’s College, South Street, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9JP, Scotland |
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| Abstract: | Focusing on a contemporary conspiracy theory popularized in the novel The Da Vinci Code (Brown, 2002), we examined the underlying psychological factors and individual differences that may predict belief in conspiracy theories, and assessed such beliefs’ resistance to counterevidence. Our results suggest that belief in the Da Vinci Code conspiracy may be associated with coping with existential threat and death-related anxiety. In addition, the extent to which participants believed in the conspiracy was associated with the endorsement of congruent (New Age spiritual) and competing (Christian religious) beliefs, in opposite directions. Finally, exposure to counterevidence resulted in belief reduction, specifically among more religious participants (i.e. among those endorsing a competing belief system). We suggest that belief in modern conspiracy theories may help individuals attain or maintain a sense of meaning, control, and security. |
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| Keywords: | Conspiracy theories Existential anxiety Belief resilience Belief systems Meaning maintenance |
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