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. 2024 Jun 20;14(1):14184.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-64098-1.

The sociodemographic correlates of conspiracism

Adam Enders  1 , Casey Klofstad  2 , Amanda Diekman  3 , Hugo Drochon  4 , Joel Rogers de Waal  5 , Shane Littrell  6 , Kamal Premaratne  7 , Daniel Verdear  8 , Stefan Wuchty  8 , Joseph Uscinski  9
Affiliations

The sociodemographic correlates of conspiracism

Adam Enders et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Despite hundreds of studies examining belief in conspiracy theories, it is still unclear who-demographically-is most likely to believe such theories. To remedy this knowledge gap, we examine survey data containing various operationalizations of conspiracism across diverse sociopolitical contexts. Study 1 employs a 2021 U.S. survey (n = 2021) to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and beliefs in 39 conspiracy theories. Study 2 similarly employs a survey of 20 countries (n = 26,416) and 11 conspiracy theory beliefs. Study 3 reports results from a 2020 U.S. survey (n = 2015) measuring perceptions about which groups are engaging in conspiracies. Study 4 interrogates data from nine U.S. surveys (2012-2022; n = 14,334) to examine the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and generalized conspiracy thinking. Study 5 synchronizes studies 1-4 to provide an intersectional analysis of conspiracy theory belief. Across studies, we observe remarkably consistent patterns: education, income, age (older), and White identification are negatively related to conspiracism, while Black identification is positively related. We conclude by discussing why conspiracy theories may appeal most to historically marginalized groups and how our findings can inform efforts to mitigate the negative effects of conspiracy theories.

Keywords: Age; Conspiracy theory; Education; Gender; Income; Intersectionality; Race.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of correlation coefficients, by sociodemographic characteristics, across all conspiracy theory beliefs. Mean, standard deviation, and percentage of cases where correlation was statistically significant (p < 0.05) appear in each panel. P-values corrected for multiple comparisons via the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between each conspiracy theory belief and each sociodemographic characteristic. Horizontal bars are 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Average correlations between specific conspiracy theory beliefs and sociodemographic characteristics, by country. Horizontal bars represent 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between selecting each group as a likely conspirator and sociodemographic characteristics. Horizontal bars represent 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Correlation between the ACTS and sociodemographic characteristics over time, with 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal red line represents the average correlation across all surveys.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Correlations between a count of 39 conspiracy theory beliefs (see Study 1) and combinations of sociodemographic characteristics, with 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Correlations between the ACTS and combinations of sociodemographic characteristics, with 95% confidence intervals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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