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. 2022 Apr;57(2):209-217.
doi: 10.1002/ijop.12801. Epub 2021 Aug 22.

Conspiracy beliefs in Britain and North Macedonia: A comparative study

Ana Stojanov  1   2   3 , Karen Douglas  2
Affiliations

Conspiracy beliefs in Britain and North Macedonia: A comparative study

Ana Stojanov et al. Int J Psychol. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

The psychological research on conspiracy beliefs to date has focused predominantly on conspiracy beliefs in Western democracies. The current study sought to fill this gap by examining beliefs in conspiracy theories in a democratic society and a society in transition. British (N = 298) and Macedonian (N = 312) participants completed an online questionnaire measuring conspiracy beliefs, trust in media and institutions and support for democratic principles. Macedonian participants endorsed conspiracy theories more than British. In addition, support for democratic principles, low trust in institutions and media were significant predictors of conspiracy beliefs. The relationship between trust and conspiracy beliefs was moderated by country, such that it was significantly stronger in the British group. This study draws attention to the need for cross-societal research on belief in conspiracy theories.

Keywords: Authoritarianism; Conspiracy beliefs; Conspiracy theories; Democracy; Predictors; Support for democratic principles; Transition; Trust.

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