You Don't Believe in God but You Believe What's on TikTok
Location
Poster #15
Start Date
1-5-2026 12:00 PM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This research investigates the psychological relationship between religious orientation and the endorsement of conspiracy theories within a university setting. As traditional monotheistic frameworks decline in an increasingly secular world, individuals may seek alternative “hidden agencies” to provide a sense of order and meaning. While previous studies have suggested correlations between religiosity, spirituality, and conspiracist ideation, many are limited by geographical bias or the conflation of distinct cognitive constructs. This study aims to address these gaps by examining whether the absence of a divine framework leads to a higher susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. It is hypothesized that individuals who do not hold monotheistic beliefs are more likely to endorse conspiracy theories than those who do. The significance of this research is to help clarify how different populations process information and perceive societal control. By disentangling these cognitive frameworks, the study benefits the scientific community by providing a more inclusive, global understanding of belief systems, which is essential for identifying the psychological divers behind the spread of misinformation and unwarranted beliefs.
Faculty Sponsor
Christopher Merchant
You Don't Believe in God but You Believe What's on TikTok
Poster #15
This research investigates the psychological relationship between religious orientation and the endorsement of conspiracy theories within a university setting. As traditional monotheistic frameworks decline in an increasingly secular world, individuals may seek alternative “hidden agencies” to provide a sense of order and meaning. While previous studies have suggested correlations between religiosity, spirituality, and conspiracist ideation, many are limited by geographical bias or the conflation of distinct cognitive constructs. This study aims to address these gaps by examining whether the absence of a divine framework leads to a higher susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. It is hypothesized that individuals who do not hold monotheistic beliefs are more likely to endorse conspiracy theories than those who do. The significance of this research is to help clarify how different populations process information and perceive societal control. By disentangling these cognitive frameworks, the study benefits the scientific community by providing a more inclusive, global understanding of belief systems, which is essential for identifying the psychological divers behind the spread of misinformation and unwarranted beliefs.