Factors Predicting Conspiracy Thinking among College Students

Autor/in	Wentworth, Ben
Titel	Factors Predicting Conspiracy Thinking among College Students
Quelle	(2023), (127 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Georgia
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
ISBN	979-8-3796-8732-8
Schlagwörter	Hochschulschrift; Dissertation; College Students; Beliefs; Misconceptions; Thinking Skills; Critical Thinking; Predictor Variables; Personality Traits; Cognitive Processes; Intervention; Individualism; Interaction; Deception; Political Attitudes; Ethics; Antisocial Behavior + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Thesis; Dissertations; Academic thesis; Collegestudent; Belief; Glaube; Missverständnis; Denkfähigkeit; Kritisches Denken; Prädiktor; Individual characteristics; Personality characteristic; Persönlichkeitsmerkmal; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Individualismus; Interaktion; Täuschung; Political attitude; Politische Einstellung; Ethik
Abstract	Conspiracy thinking among college students is an under-investigated phenomenon. People who work with college students may seek to reduce conspiracy thinking among students or consider ways to work with those students better. This study provides insight into how well various personality factors predict conspiracy thinking among college students. The purpose of this study was to predict the degree of conspiracy thinking among participants through various personality constructs and factors, and from doing so recommend interventions that people who work with college students may find useful for addressing conspiracy thinking among their college students. To meet this purpose, I constructed a statistical model of the various personality factors and their link to conspiracy thinking. The overall regression was statistically significant (R[superscript 2] =0.145, F[subscript (5,119)] =5.215, p <0.001). I found that Machiavellianism and Need for Uniqueness significantly predicted Conspiracy Thinking among college students ([beta][subscript Mach]=0.327, p[subscript Mach] <0.001; [beta][subscript NFU] =0.203, p[subscript NFU] =0.020). I found that the Locus of Control, Need for Cognitive Closure, and the Personal Sense of Power did not significantly predict Conspiracy Thinking among college students ([beta][subscript LOC] =0.111, p[subscript LOC] =0.198; [beta][subscript NFCC] =-0.081, p[subscript NFCC] =0.352; [beta][subscript PSP] =0.127, p[subscript PSP] =0.143). Following analysis, I explored how people who work with college students may use these findings to assist with intervention design and working with students. To reduce conspiracy thinking, I recommended programs that support and appreciate uniqueness and that help students explore non-Machiavellian ways of interacting with others. To work better with students engaged in conspiracy thinking, I recommended investigating how students developed their beliefs and providing support for the identities or traits the conspiracy beliefs tie to. I remind readers that sometimes these beliefs may go beyond the scope of a typical person who works with college students, and should be referred out. I close by reminding the reader that while sometimes disturbing, conspiracy beliefs can also be a way for students to express their uniqueness or protect themselves from manipulation or harm. By better understanding traits that predict conspiracy thinking among college students, those of us who work with them can better serve our students and better understand one way that our students may make sense of the complex world we share. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.] (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01