Victoria A. Haerter
@victoriahaerter.bsky.social
PhD Candidate at the University of Bern • Masters in Comparative and International Studies ETH Zurich • Political Science BA at University of Zurich
This study is a first step in understanding how personal values shape conspiratorial thinking, shedding light on the psychological roots of conspiracy beliefs.
Please check it out! #Values #ConspiracyTheories #HumanValues 6/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Please check it out! #Values #ConspiracyTheories #HumanValues 6/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Value Foundations of Conspiracy Thinking: New Evidence From European Democracies
Objective The COVID-19 pandemic and other recent crises have fueled the spread and political exploitation of conspiracy theories across both the United States and Europe. Despite growing concerns ab...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
March 7, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This study is a first step in understanding how personal values shape conspiratorial thinking, shedding light on the psychological roots of conspiracy beliefs.
Please check it out! #Values #ConspiracyTheories #HumanValues 6/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Please check it out! #Values #ConspiracyTheories #HumanValues 6/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
The results suggest that differences in conspiracy beliefs stem from a complex interplay of psychological, political, cultural, and regional factors—rather than a single explanation tied to one variable.
Context shapes how values influence beliefs, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach. 5/
Context shapes how values influence beliefs, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach. 5/
March 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The results suggest that differences in conspiracy beliefs stem from a complex interplay of psychological, political, cultural, and regional factors—rather than a single explanation tied to one variable.
Context shapes how values influence beliefs, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach. 5/
Context shapes how values influence beliefs, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach. 5/
The findings indicate that country-specific factors play a key role in shaping this relationship. Social, political, and cultural influences likely drive these inconsistencies.
To explore this, I conduct an initial exploratory, descriptive analysis. #PoliticalPsychology #ComparativePolitics 4/
To explore this, I conduct an initial exploratory, descriptive analysis. #PoliticalPsychology #ComparativePolitics 4/
March 7, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The findings indicate that country-specific factors play a key role in shaping this relationship. Social, political, and cultural influences likely drive these inconsistencies.
To explore this, I conduct an initial exploratory, descriptive analysis. #PoliticalPsychology #ComparativePolitics 4/
To explore this, I conduct an initial exploratory, descriptive analysis. #PoliticalPsychology #ComparativePolitics 4/
In contrast, those prioritizing personal gain, power (self-enhancement), or novelty and excitement (openness to change) are more likely to hold conspiracy beliefs.
However, these patterns vary across countries, challenging the assumption that values influence beliefs uniformly. Context matters 3/
However, these patterns vary across countries, challenging the assumption that values influence beliefs uniformly. Context matters 3/
March 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
In contrast, those prioritizing personal gain, power (self-enhancement), or novelty and excitement (openness to change) are more likely to hold conspiracy beliefs.
However, these patterns vary across countries, challenging the assumption that values influence beliefs uniformly. Context matters 3/
However, these patterns vary across countries, challenging the assumption that values influence beliefs uniformly. Context matters 3/
Using ESS data from 20 European democracies and Schwartz's Value Theory, I analyze how personal values shape conspiracy beliefs.
Findings: Those prioritizing tradition (conservation) or others' well-being (self-transcendence) are significantly less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. 2/
Findings: Those prioritizing tradition (conservation) or others' well-being (self-transcendence) are significantly less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. 2/
March 7, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Using ESS data from 20 European democracies and Schwartz's Value Theory, I analyze how personal values shape conspiracy beliefs.
Findings: Those prioritizing tradition (conservation) or others' well-being (self-transcendence) are significantly less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. 2/
Findings: Those prioritizing tradition (conservation) or others' well-being (self-transcendence) are significantly less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. 2/
Our study sheds light on the psychological roots of #AffectivePolarization.
Understanding how moral foundations shape group perceptions is key to tackling polarization in public health & beyond #Polarization #MoralPsychology #Vaccination
Check out the full article here: doi.org/10.1177/0263...
Understanding how moral foundations shape group perceptions is key to tackling polarization in public health & beyond #Polarization #MoralPsychology #Vaccination
Check out the full article here: doi.org/10.1177/0263...
Divided by morality? Moral foundations of affective polarisation during hard times - Victoria Haerter, Maximilian Filsinger, Markus Freitag, 2025
In this article, we examine the deeper causes of a key group conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic: attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccination. Extending resear...
doi.org
February 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Our study sheds light on the psychological roots of #AffectivePolarization.
Understanding how moral foundations shape group perceptions is key to tackling polarization in public health & beyond #Polarization #MoralPsychology #Vaccination
Check out the full article here: doi.org/10.1177/0263...
Understanding how moral foundations shape group perceptions is key to tackling polarization in public health & beyond #Polarization #MoralPsychology #Vaccination
Check out the full article here: doi.org/10.1177/0263...
Interestingly, both sides believe that the other has violated fundamental principles of justice.
As a result, they see the out-group as selfish, narrow-minded, and unwilling to compromise, deepening the divide
As a result, they see the out-group as selfish, narrow-minded, and unwilling to compromise, deepening the divide
February 14, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Interestingly, both sides believe that the other has violated fundamental principles of justice.
As a result, they see the out-group as selfish, narrow-minded, and unwilling to compromise, deepening the divide
As a result, they see the out-group as selfish, narrow-minded, and unwilling to compromise, deepening the divide
This is unexpected!
Care & fairness are usually linked to inclusivity & prosociality, but here they seem to reinforce polarization rather than bridge it. Why?
When people perceive that their own moral foundations of fairness & harm reduction are threatened—it intensifies polarization /3
Care & fairness are usually linked to inclusivity & prosociality, but here they seem to reinforce polarization rather than bridge it. Why?
When people perceive that their own moral foundations of fairness & harm reduction are threatened—it intensifies polarization /3
February 14, 2025 at 8:46 AM
This is unexpected!
Care & fairness are usually linked to inclusivity & prosociality, but here they seem to reinforce polarization rather than bridge it. Why?
When people perceive that their own moral foundations of fairness & harm reduction are threatened—it intensifies polarization /3
Care & fairness are usually linked to inclusivity & prosociality, but here they seem to reinforce polarization rather than bridge it. Why?
When people perceive that their own moral foundations of fairness & harm reduction are threatened—it intensifies polarization /3
Our analyses reveal an affective divide between supporters and opponents of #COVID19 vaccinations.
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
February 14, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Our analyses reveal an affective divide between supporters and opponents of #COVID19 vaccinations.
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
Our analyses reveal an affective divide between supporters and opponents of #COVID19 vaccinations.
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
February 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Our analyses reveal an affective divide between supporters and opponents of #COVID19 vaccinations.
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2
But surprisingly, it’s not the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity) that fuel this divide—it's the individualizing foundations (care, fairness) /2