Please Reduce the Gap! How Psychological Distance to Politics Fuels Belief in Conspiracy Theories

This research examines the impact of psychological distance to politics on the formation of conspiracy beliefs. In an era where political disillusionment and scepticism are increasingly prevalent, understanding the psychological factors that contribute to these beliefs is crucial. Psychological distance to politics, defined as the perceived separation or detachment from political processes, can lead individuals to view political events and actors with suspicion. Through two cross-sectional studies, with nationally representative samples (Study 1: United States, N = 431; Study 2: United States, N = 300), we find that greater psychological distance predicts belief in conspiracy theories. In Study 3 (United States, N = 302, pre-registered), we demonstrate that reducing the sense of psychological distance to politics in participants significantly decreases their likelihood of subscribing to conspiratorial explanations. These findings highlight the importance of psychological distance to politics as a predictor of conspiracy beliefs, offering new insights into understanding what might be driving political distrust and conspiracy thinking in contemporary politics.