Narcissistic susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs exaggerated by education, reduced by cognitive reflection

The article "Narcissistic susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs exaggerated by education, reduced by cognitive reflection" by Tylor J. Cosgrove and Christopher P. Murphy, published in Frontiers in Psychology, investigates the relationship between narcissistic traits and conspiracy theory endorsement. The study highlights how facets of narcissism, such as grandiosity, a need for uniqueness, and a sense of superiority, predict higher susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. Interestingly, while higher education generally reduces conspiracy theory endorsement, the study found that for narcissistic individuals, education can actually increase susceptibility to conspiratorial thinking. Conversely, cognitive reflection, or the ability to engage in critical, analytical thinking, was found to consistently mitigate the influence of narcissism on conspiracy beliefs, acting as a protective factor.

Through two studies—one survey-based and the other using large-scale public data—the researchers established that narcissism and intuitive thinking contribute to conspiracy belief formation, particularly during times of uncertainty. Higher levels of cognitive reflection were shown to diminish this effect, suggesting that while education alone may not protect narcissistic individuals from endorsing conspiracy theories, fostering critical thinking skills plays a crucial role. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of conspiracy beliefs and underscore the importance of enhancing cognitive reflection as a strategy to counteract the influence of narcissistic traits in the spread of conspiracy theories.