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Jake Richardson 

BSc [Hons] Applied Psychology

I am a student of Applied Psychology with a keen interest in social psychology. I have a passion for analytics and aim to complete a Masters in this field in the coming years. For my thesis, I decided to research and investigate the relationship between personality types and generic beliefs in conspiracy theories.

Project Description

There is little consensus on the relationship between the Big Five personality types and belief in conspiracy theories. Although there is reason to believe the personality types of Agreeableness, Openness and Conscientiousness can predict such beliefs, reported results are inconsistent. This study aimed to further explore the relationship between these personality types and belief in conspiracy theories. A convenience sample of 120 participants, ages 18-71, 60 male and 60 female, completed an online survey which employed the Ten-Item Personality Index (TIPI) and the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ). Multiple regression analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Software.


Project Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Big Five personality traits of Agreeableness, Openness and Conscientiousness and generic belief in conspiracy theories. I hoped to further the current understanding of conspiracy beliefs and attempt to understand the factors which could possibly predict an individuals belief in such theories.


Project Outcomes

The findings of this study suggest that Agreeableness is a negative predictor of belief in conspiracy theories while no evidence was found to support the hypotheses that Openness and Conscientiousness are related to conspiracy theory beliefs. It could be suggested, therefore, that a complex interaction of factors, situational and dispositional, may impact belief in conspiracy theories.


Thesis Title

Personality Types and Belief in Conspiracy Theories: A Correlational Study

Applied Psychology
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