Conspiracy mentality in autistic and non-autistic individuals.

BACKGROUND

Belief in conspiracy theories has emerged across times and cultures. While previous accounts attributed conspiracy beliefs to mental health conditions, accumulating research suggests that conspiracy theories are common among the general population. In the present study we examined whether conspiracy mentality - that is, a general predisposition to believe conspiracy theories - differed between a group of autistic adults and a general population sample.

METHODS

This study included an autistic sample (= 682) and a general population sample ( = 4358). Participants' conspiracy mentality was measured using the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ).

RESULTS

A one-way ANCOVA (controlling for participants' age, gender, educational level, and ethnicity) revealed no difference in conspiracy mentality between an autism and a community sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study suggests that being autistic, or having more autistic traits, does not predict conspiracy mentality. These findings underscore that autism does not predispose people to conspiracy theories and suggest that autism is neither a risk factor for, nor a protective factor against, conspiracy mentality.