Stigmatized beliefs: Conspiracy theories, anticipated negative evaluation of the self, and fear of social exclusion
Résumé
Can conspiracy theories be a source of social stigma? If it is true, it would
follow that people may expect to be socially excluded when they express
endorsement of conspiracy theories. This effect should be partially
explained by the knowledge of the negative perceptions associated with
conspiracy theories. In Study 1, inducing French internet users to write a
text endorsing (vs. criticizing) conspiracy theories about the Charlie Hebdo
shooting, led them to anticipate fear of social exclusion. This effect was
mediated by anticipated negative evaluation of the self. In Study 2, inducing
French internet users to imagine defending (vs. criticizing) conspiracy
theories about the Charlie Hebdo shooting in front of an audience led them
to anticipate fear of social exclusion. The effect was again mediated by
anticipated negative evaluation of the self. To conclude, our findings
demonstrate that conspiracy theories can be viewed as a source of social
stigma.