Abstract
In this study, we tested the relationship between personal agency beliefs, represented by free will, scientific and fatalistic determinism and unpredictability, and epistemically suspect beliefs (ESBs), including conspiracy, paranormal, and pseudoscience beliefs, across two different cultures (Türkiye and the UK). In two preregistered studies (NStudy 1 = 682, NStudy 2 = 532), we proposed and found correlational evidence for the idea that although seemingly contradictory, both forms of determinism—scientific and fatalistic—might lead individuals to feel a reduced control over their actions, prompting them towards simpler explanations offered by ESBs, thereby compensating for a diminished sense of agency. The relationship between free will, unpredictability, and ESBs varied by culture, likely influenced by the cultural interpretation of those beliefs. Our results underscore the link between personal agency and ESBs, suggesting that ESBs may act as a safeguard against eroding personal agency.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 112765 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
Volume | 229 |
Early online date | 19 Jun 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2024 |
Bibliographical note
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The current study is based on the data of an ongoing longitudinal project funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (T\u00DCB\u0130TAK; project number: 221\u202FK046; project title: \u201CThe Temporal Changes in Epistemically Suspect (Conspiracy, Paranormal and Pseudoscience) Beliefs: Longitudinal Analysis of the Predictors and the Moderators\u201D).Keywords
- Conspiracy
- Paranormal
- Pseudoscience
- Free will
- Determinism
- Unpredictability