Collective narcissism, paranoia, and distrust in science predict climate change conspiracy beliefs

A new study published in Current Psychology has found that Turkish teachers who scored higher in collective narcissism, paranoid thinking, and distrust in science were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories about climate change. Surprisingly, other commonly discussed factors such as gender, ideological identity, and social media usage did not significantly predict climate change conspiracy beliefs in this sample. These findings add new cultural context to a growing body of research examining why some people reject scientific consensus on global warming.

Conspiracy beliefs about climate change, such as claims that it is a hoax or part of a global political agenda, are widespread across the world. These beliefs can reduce public support for environmental policies and undermine collective action. Most research on this topic has focused on Western societies, particularly the United States, where political ideology and media consumption have been shown to influence conspiracy thinking.

The new study, conducted by Menşure Alkış Küçükaydın, sought to investigate how these and other factors relate to belief in climate change conspiracy theories in Turkey, a country with different political and cultural dynamics.

Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues, but efforts to address it are often hampered by public skepticism and misinformation. Some individuals deny that climate change is caused by human activity, while others believe it is part of a coordinated effort to control the population or advance hidden agendas. These ideas are not only scientifically inaccurate but also socially damaging. Researchers are increasingly interested in identifying the psychological and social factors that make people more likely to endorse such beliefs.

The current study focused on Turkey because, despite experiencing the effects of climate change, the country has not been the subject of much research in this area. Turkish society does not have the same political culture around climate science debates as countries like the United States. Instead, beliefs in Turkey may be shaped more by social identity and personal experience than by political ideology. Understanding these cultural differences is important for developing effective public education strategies and climate policy.

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To explore these questions, the researcher surveyed 556 preservice teachers from two universities in Turkey. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 30, with most identifying as female (75 percent). The study used a prediction model to determine whether various psychological and social variables could explain belief in climate change conspiracy theories. These variables included gender, ideological identity, social media use and frequency, collective narcissism, paranoid thoughts, and trust in science.

Participants completed a series of standardized questionnaires. One scale measured climate change conspiracy beliefs, such as the idea that scientists exaggerate climate data or that governments use climate change to push political reforms. Another assessed collective narcissism, or the belief that one’s national group is exceptional and underappreciated. Paranoid thinking was measured using a scale that included statements like “People are talking about me behind my back.” Trust in science was evaluated using a ten-item questionnaire about confidence in scientists and scientific research. Participants were also asked about their ideological leanings and social media habits.

The researcher conducted a detailed statistical analysis to determine which factors predicted belief in climate change conspiracy theories. The results showed that three variables stood out: collective narcissism, paranoid thoughts, and distrust in science. Participants who scored higher on these measures were more likely to believe that climate change is part of a hidden agenda or deception. In contrast, gender, ideological identity, and social media use did not significantly predict conspiracy beliefs in this sample.

Collective narcissism emerged as a strong predictor. This type of belief emphasizes the superiority of one’s national group and perceives criticism from outsiders as an attack. In this context, some participants may have viewed climate change messaging as a threat to national pride or autonomy, leading them to reject scientific explanations. The researcher noted that this defensive attitude could make people more susceptible to conspiracy theories that blame foreign powers or elites for environmental problems.

Paranoid thinking was also significantly associated with conspiracy beliefs. This supports previous research showing that people who feel personally targeted or suspicious of others are more likely to believe in hidden plots and coordinated deception. Climate change conspiracy theories often involve claims of secret manipulation by scientists, governments, or global organizations—ideas that align with a paranoid mindset.

Distrust in science was the third significant predictor. Participants who were skeptical of scientific authority were more likely to believe that climate change is fabricated or exaggerated. This finding aligns with other studies suggesting that trust in scientific institutions is essential for public acceptance of evidence-based policies. In situations where trust is low, people may turn to alternative explanations, including conspiracy theories.

Interestingly, the study found no significant link between ideological identity and conspiracy beliefs. This contrasts with findings from the United States, where conservative political identity is often associated with climate change denial. The researcher suggested that in Turkey, climate issues are not deeply embedded in political discourse, which may explain why ideological leanings did not play a strong role. Similarly, social media use and frequency were not significant predictors, even though social media is a well-known channel for spreading misinformation. This suggests that the content and context of social media use may be more important than simply how often people use it.

The study also found that overall levels of belief in climate change conspiracy theories were relatively low among the participants, as were levels of paranoia. However, collective narcissism was higher on average. Trust in science was moderate. These patterns suggest that while conspiracy thinking is not widespread in this group, certain psychological traits may still play a role in shaping climate attitudes.

As with all research, the study has some limitations. The sample consisted entirely of university students training to become teachers, who may not represent the broader Turkish population. Most participants were women and identified as ideologically moderate, which may have reduced the variability needed to detect certain effects. The cross-sectional design also limits the ability to draw conclusions about cause and effect. Longitudinal studies that follow participants over time would be useful to explore how beliefs evolve.

Despite these limitations, the study makes an important contribution by examining climate change conspiracy beliefs in a non-Western cultural context. It highlights the role of psychological factors like collective identity and paranoia, which may be more influential in certain societies than political ideology. The findings suggest that addressing these beliefs may require different strategies depending on the cultural setting.

The study, “Predictors of climate change conspiracy beliefs: collective narcissism, paranoid thoughts, and distrust in science,” was authored by Menşure Alkış Küçükaydın.