The role and influence of the conspiratorial narrative on the acceptance of conspiracy theories

Radoslav Ivančík () and Pavel Nečas ()
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Radoslav Ivančík: Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava, Slovakia
Pavel Nečas: Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 2025, vol. 12, issue 4, 158-170

Abstract: Conspiracy theories have received considerable attention in recent times. Some people consider them the best possible explanations for certain significant social events and believe them more than official reports or explanations. This article, therefore, examines the factors influencing the acceptance of conspiracy theories, paying particular attention to the conspiratorial narrative and the influence of information ambiguity on their acceptance. Based on theoretical foundations, it analyses the relationship between conspiratorial thinking, emotional factors and distrust of official sources, authorities and institutions. The results suggest that information ambiguity is not the primary factor influencing belief in conspiracy theories, but rather the personality predispositions of individuals, their perceived threat and the degree of scepticism towards official explanations of certain events. Conspiracy thinking appears to be a stable cognitive schema resistant to rational counterarguments and often supported by emotional and social factors.

Keywords: conspiracy theories; conspiratorial narrative; conspiratorial thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F52 F59 H56 H59 K22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ssi:jouesi:v:12:y:2025:i:4:p:158-170

DOI: 10.9770/x8354649666

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