It's a Conspiracy: The Covid-19 Conspiracy Is Related to Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and Collective Narcissism

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110559

Explanation

A surge in conspiracy theories emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This study investigated individual susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs and the mediating role of Covid-related conspiracy beliefs on personality and intentional dissemination of Covid-19 conspiracies and willingness to obtain Covid-19 vaccines.

Specifically, we focused on trait psychopathology, Machiavellianism, and group narcissism.

We recruited 406 UK participants to participate in an online survey investigating personality and Covid-19 information.

Machiavellianism and primary psychopathology actively predicted general, Covid-specific conspiracy beliefs, whereas group narcissism actively predicted only Covid-specific conspiracy beliefs.

Covid-19 conspiracy beliefs mediated the negative relationship between all traits and the willingness to obtain future vaccines.