The Role of Socio-Economic Indicators in Explaining Conspiratorial and Anti-Science Beliefs.

This study examines the relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and attitudes toward science and conspiracy theories, focusing on trust in science, science-related populism, and belief in conspiracy theories. Drawing on a socio-cognitive framework, we hypothesize that SES is negatively associated with belief in conspiracy theories, science-related populism, and trust in science. We further propose that political cynicism, intellectual humility, political powerlessness, and support for simple solutions mediate these relationships. Our study aims to explore how socio-economic factors shape individuals' susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs and populist attitudes toward science, as well as their trust in scientific expertise. We hypothesize that individuals with lower SES will report higher levels of conspiracy beliefs, greater support for science-related populism, and lower trust in science, with socio-cognitive variables acting as mediators in these processes. Political cynicism, a sense of powerlessness, intellectual humility, and a preference for simplified explanations are expected to play a key role in explaining the link between SES and these attitudes. By investigating these dynamics, the study contributes to understanding the socio-economic underpinnings of attitudes toward science and conspiracy theories, with important implications for how these beliefs affect political behavior and public trust in science.