Increased conspiracy beliefs among ethnic and Muslim minorities

Abstract

In the present study, we tested whether Muslim minority members are more susceptible to conspiracy theories than majority members in the Netherlands. We examined conspiracy theories that are relevant (portraying the Muslim community as victim or Jewish people as perpetrators) and irrelevant for participants' Muslim identity (about the 2007 financial crisis, and other theories such as that the moon landings were fake). Results revealed that Muslims believed both identity-relevant and irrelevant conspiracy theories more strongly than non-Muslims. These differences could not be attributed to the contents of Muslim faith: Ethnic minority status exerted similar effects independent of Muslim identity. Instead, evidence suggested that feelings of both personal and group-based deprivation independently contribute to belief in conspiracy theories. We conclude that feelings of deprivation lead marginalized minority members to perceive the social and political system as rigged, stimulating belief in both identity-relevant and irrelevant conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy blaming in the aftermath of group relative deprivation: The moderating role of national narcissism

“…Overall, we found mixed evidence for the causal effect of group relative deprivation on conspiracy beliefs and conspiratorial scapegoating. Contrasting with the rather robust correlational link documented in the literature (Bilewicz & Krzeminski, 2010;Bilewicz et al, 2012Bilewicz et al, , 2013Van Prooijen et al, 2018), we found no main effects of group relative deprivation on conspiracy variables. However, we observed this experimental effect among participants high in national narcissism.…”

“…The relationship between diffuse threats and conspiracy beliefs is robust at the correlational level (Bertin et al., 2023; Bilewicz & Krzeminski, 2010; Bilewicz et al., 2012, 2013; Sternisko et al., 2021; van Prooijen et al., 2018), and we replicated this across our studies by focusing on group relative deprivation. Interestingly, this relationship appeared distinct from the one of economic threat when predicting outgroup blaming (Study 3), which may indicate distinct underlying motives.…”

Is occupation insecurity associated with conspiracy views? A test of parallel mediation through political powerlessness and relative deprivation

“…Additionally, a direct effect of relative deprivation on conspiracy views was found also, in line with previous studies in the field (e.g. Bertin et al, 2024; Van Prooijen et al, 2018). The expected mediation, however, could not be determined.…”

Unpacking COVID ‐19 and conspiracy theories in the UK black community

“…Our findings indicate that contemporary perceived injustice (including injustice outside of the UK) had significant influence. These findings mirror the theory posited by van Prooijen et al ( 2018 ); that personal and group deprivation and experienced inequalities fuel conspiracy ideas. Our work goes somewhat further in providing detail of the interplay at work here; and how this subsequently impacted on sensemaking and the consequences of this for the uptake of recommended COVID protective behaviours.…”