1.12.2024 - 31.6.2026
Principal investigator:
Ján Žilinský
Annotation
This project investigates how a deep-seated distrust of other people, misanthropy, makes individuals susceptible to conspiracy theories. The studies introduces a new way to measure this trait, finding that a "dark view of human nature" strongly predicts receptivity to conspiracies and anti-establishment views. This work shows that believing others are inherently bad is a distinct and powerful explanation for why people embrace conspiratorial narratives.
Key words: political psychology, conspiracy theories
Published comments and blogs by the project’s principal investigator:
Žilinský, Ján: What we learned about free speech in 2025, Good Authority. https://goodauthority.org/news/what-we-learned-about-free-speech-in-2025/
Žilinský, Ján: The Epstein files have managed to unite liberal and conservative media, Good Authority. https://goodauthority.org/news/the-epstein-files-have-managed-to-unite-liberal-and-conservative-media/
Žilinský, Ján: I „vtipná“ videa umělé inteligence přispívají k přesvědčení, že se nedá věřit ničemu, Denník N CZ. https://denikn.cz/1907992/i-vtipna-videa-umele-inteligence-prispivaji-k-presvedceni-ze-se-neda-verit-nicemu/
Žilinský, Ján: Seriál Adolescence: férové zrkadlo digitálnej doby?, Denník N. https://dennikn.sk/4550775/serial-adolescence-ferove-zrkadlo-digitalnej-doby/
Žilinský, Ján: Trump a Musk sa hádajú. Alebo nie? Vitajte vo svete pozitívnych konšpirácií, Denník N. https://dennikn.sk/4682909/trump-a-musk-sa-hadaju-alebo-nie-vitajte-vo-svete-pozitivnych-konspiracii/
Žilinský, Ján: Bude Trump obeťou konšpirácií vlastnej výroby?, Denník N. https://dennikn.sk/4760068/bude-trump-obetou-konspiracii-vlastnej-vyroby/
Žilinský, Ján: Strach by nemal predbiehať fakty, najmä ak vyhlasujeme, že „pravda je mŕtva“, Denník N. https://dennikn.sk/4474311/strach-by-nemal-predbiehat-fakty-najma-ak-vyhlasujeme-ze-pravda-je-mrtva/