Climate of conspiracy: A meta-analysis of the consequences of belief in conspiracy theories about climate change. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biddlestone, Mikey; Azevedo, Flavio; van der Linden, Sander
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in psychology. Volume 46(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Conspiracy theories -- Climate change -- Meta-analysis -- Global warming; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-250X

Abstract

Abstract: Despite widespread scientific consensus on climate change, conspiracy theories about its causes and consequences are flourishing. In response, psychological research has started to investigate the consequences of espousing conspiracy beliefs about climate change. Although some scholars maintain that the evidence for a causal link between belief in conspiracy theories and behavior remains elusive, others have argued that climate change conspiracy theories undermine pro-climate action. To shed further light on this question across a range of outcome measures, we present a meta-analysis of 22 independent samples ( N participants = 20, 765). Overall, we find clear evidence that climate conspiracy beliefs have moderate-to-large negative correlations with not only acceptance of (climate) science, trust, and pro-environmental concern, but also with behavioural intentions and policy support. Most of these effects were not moderated by design (experimental vs. correlational), political ideology, or prior conspiracy beliefs. However, we note publication bias and in several cases sufficient experimental data were lacking. Implications for addressing conspiracy theories about climate change are discussed. Highlights: Meta-analysis of the consequences of belief in climate change conspiracies. Belief in climate conspiracies is linked to lower support for pro-climate policies. Effect sizes are not reliably moderated by study design or political orientation. We note publication bias, effect size heterogeneity, and need to collect more data.