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If you believe in conspiracy theories, it says something pretty alarming about you

Do you believe in conspiracy theories? (Getty)
Do you believe in conspiracy theories? (Getty)

A new study has thrown light on a disturbing aspect of people who believe conspiracy theories – for instance, the 21 million Americans who believe the moon landings were faked.

Psychologists from the University of Kent and Staffordshire found that people who believe in conspiracy theories are more likely to commit low-level crime.

Actions which conspiracy fans are more likely to commit include falsely claiming for replacement items, refunds or compensation.

A second study found that people who believed in conspiracy theories were more likely to be accepting of the idea of committing low-level crime – perhaps due to a feeling that there is no social cohesion.

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Professor Karen Douglas, of Kent’s School of Psychology, said: ‘People who believe in conspiracy theories – such as the theory that Princess Diana was murdered by the British establishment – are more likely to accept or engage in everyday criminal activity.’

‘Our research has shown for the first time the role that conspiracy theories can play in determining an individual’s attitude to everyday crime.

‘It demonstrates that people subscribing to the view that others have conspired might be more inclined toward unethical actions.’

Dr Dan Jolley, of Staffordshire University, said: ‘People believing in conspiracy theories are more likely to be accepting of everyday crime, while exposure to theories increases a feeling of anomie [defined as a “lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group”], which in turn predicts increased future everyday crime intentions.’

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