A study demonstrates how good interaction with various populations reduces conspiracy ideas

Positive interaction with individuals from other groups, according to new UEA study, may reduce the amount of negative conspiracy views about those groups.

Conspiracy theories regarding minority populations are ubiquitous, and they may lead to anything from incorrect voting to severe intolerance. However, a new research released today shows that bringing individuals from different backgrounds together might lessen support and tolerance for conspiracy ideas.

 

According to the researchers, these results might assist educators and lawmakers develop a more peaceful society.

 

 

 

“Some conspiracy beliefs are about things like the moon landing, or more seriously about things like the nature and effectiveness of vaccines,” said Dr Charles Seger of UEA’s School of Psychology.

 

“Previous research has shown that simply being exposed to conspiracy theories, even without endorsing them, can have negative consequences, such as a decreased willingness to engage in politics.”

 

“However, many conspiracy theories are about groups of individuals. People often develop conspiracy theories concerning disadvantaged or minority populations, such as Jews or immigrants.

 

“These beliefs can include the belief that these groups of people are involved in secret plots and schemes, or that they are attempting to harm the fabric of society as a whole.”

“These kinds of conspiracy beliefs are associated with increased prejudice toward those groups, and it can be argued that unwarranted conspiracy beliefs fuel intergroup violence and genocide.”

 

“We wanted to see if friendly interactions with people from other groups could reduce conspiracy beliefs.”

The researchers conducted three experiments involving over 1,000 participants. They investigated whether positive inter-group interaction aids in the debunking of conspiracy ideas regarding other social groupings.

 

The first two studies focused on relationships, in which British participants were questioned about their interactions with immigrants or Jews, as well as their belief in conspiracy theories about them.

In a third research, participants were asked to recall a favorable encounter with a Jewish individual and then reflect on their conspiracy theories about this group. In each research, participants also indicated bias towards the target group.

“We found that people who had friendly interactions with Jewish people or immigrants, or even imagined a positive contact experience, were less likely to believe conspiracy theories about them,” Dr. Seger stated.

“Importantly, these effects persisted even beyond the known prejudice-reducing effects of such interactions.”

 

“Conspiracy theories appear to be on the rise in society, possibly as a result of social media.” People accept conspiracy theories about various organizations for a variety of reasons, and conspiracy theories are notoriously difficult to disprove.

 

“Providing correct information does not always work. As a result, it is encouraging that this intervention has the potential to reduce conspiracy ideas.

“Our findings suggest that bringing people from different backgrounds together can reduce support and tolerance for conspiracy theories.”

“This could be a useful tool for educators, policymakers, and others interested in promoting a more peaceful society.”

 

“The research findings offer a promising potential starting point for developing tools to bring diverse groups of people together who may not normally have contact and try to foster positive conversations to help reduce potentially harmful conspiracy theories from taking hold,” said Dr Daniel Jolley of the University of Nottingham.

“While the problems are frequently complex, and positive contact will not solve all of the issues surrounding conspiracy theories directed at specific groups, the fact that this work offers a potential tool for reducing intergroup conspiracy theories is a significant breakthrough.”

“Our work provides a framework that, in conjunction with future research, may lead to a decrease in conspiracy beliefs in the general population,” he said.

 

The University of Nottingham led this study in partnership with the University of East Anglia.

Positive intergroup interaction decreases conspiracy theory views, according to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.