Toribio-Flórez Daniel, Green Ricky, Sutton Robbie M, Douglas Karen M
University of Kent (UK).
Span J Psychol. 2023 Apr 27;26:e9. doi: 10.1017/SJP.2023.8.
In recent years, researchers have begun to study the social consequences of conspiracy beliefs. However, little research has investigated the impact of conspiracy beliefs on interpersonal relationships. In this review, we draw attention to this issue by summarizing available empirical evidence and proposing potential social-psychological mechanisms to explain whether and why conspiracy theories affect interpersonal relationships. We firstly discuss that the attitude change that often accompanies the internalization of conspiracy beliefs might distance people's opinions and, consequently, erode their relationships. Furthermore, we argue that the stigmatizing value of conspiracy theories can negatively affect the evaluation of conspiracy believers and discourage others from getting close to them. Finally, we consider that the misperception of social norms associated with the acceptance of certain conspiracy narratives can lead conspiracy believers to engage in non-normative behavior. Others are likely to perceive such behavior negatively, resulting in diminished interpersonal interaction. We highlight the need for further research to address these issues, as well as the potential factors that may prevent relationships being eroded by conspiracy beliefs.
近年来，研究人员已开始研究阴谋论信仰的社会后果。然而，很少有研究调查阴谋论信仰对人际关系的影响。在这篇综述中，我们通过总结现有实证证据并提出潜在的社会心理机制来解释阴谋论是否以及为何会影响人际关系，从而关注这一问题。我们首先讨论，阴谋论信仰内化时常常伴随的态度改变可能会使人们的观点产生分歧，进而破坏他们的关系。此外，我们认为阴谋论的污名化作用会对阴谋论信徒的评价产生负面影响，并阻碍他人与他们亲近。最后，我们认为，与接受某些阴谋论叙事相关的社会规范误解会导致阴谋论信徒做出不符合规范的行为。其他人可能会对这种行为产生负面看法，从而减少人际互动。我们强调需要进一步研究来解决这些问题，以及可能防止关系因阴谋论信仰而受到破坏的潜在因素。
