Project VEGA 2/0020/25
Duration of the project: 1.1.2025-31.12.2028
Principal investigator:
Mgr. Jakub Šrol, PhD.
List of co-investigators:
Mgr. Ing. Peter Teličák, PhD.
Prof. Mgr. Peter Halama, PhD.
Mgr. Beáta Sobotová
Mgr. Dana Godžáková
Annotation:
Epistemically suspect beliefs – such as conspiracy theories or pseudoscience – are associated with a range of negative psychological and social consequences. Despite intensive efforts to develop interventions to reduce these beliefs, the effectiveness of available methods is very limited. One reason for this may be that previous interventions have largely ignored the metacognitive and social aspects underlying the belief in epistemically suspect claims. The first goal of the project will therefore be to explore these overlooked epistemic (scientific reasoning, trust in science), existential (spirituality, religiosity), and social (social norms) sources of epistemically suspect beliefs, with the aim of contributing to efforts to develop effective interventions. The second goal of the project will be to experimentally study the negative social consequences of epistemically suspect beliefs in the domain of interpersonal relationships, intergroup dynamic, political participation, and pro-environmental behavior.
Key words: Epistemically suspect beliefs; spirituality; social norms; interpersonal relationships; social consequences; interventions