Unveiling the Psychological Drivers of Online Conspiracy Theories Using AI

The study highlights the significant societal impact of conspiracy theories and the importance of understanding the psychological factors behind their spread. It addresses the gap in research concerning large-scale behavioral outcomes and online support for conspiracy theories. By combining psychological self-reports from 2506 Twitter (now X) users with machine-learning analysis of their 7.7 million social media engagements during the pandemic, the study examines support for six common COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Key findings indicate that older age, extreme political views, and belief in false information are consistent risk factors. Additionally, denialist tendencies, confidence in spotting misinformation, and political conservatism are linked to support for at least one conspiracy theory. The study demonstrates that integrating AI analysis of extensive behavioral data with self-report surveys can effectively identify these factors.

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Author(s): INTELLIGENCE CULTURE AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS (ICSA)