Conspiracy theory beliefs and dis/misinformation about gender equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives: an intergroup perspective

Based on this review, a scale measuring conspiracy theories opposing gender EDI initiatives was piloted in Chapters 3 and 4. The findings suggested that intergroup threat towards women in STEM, sexist attitudes, gender in-group identification and a general tendency to believe conspiracy theories were related to conspiracy theorising about gender EDI policies and initiatives. The relationship between conspiracy theory beliefs about gender EDI policies and initiatives and intergroup threat was explored in three experimental studies reported in Chapters 5 and 6.

Exposure to experimental materials designed to elicit intergroup threat towards women in STEM did not lead to increased conspiracy theorising about gender EDI policies and initiatives. However, exposure to conspiracy theories about gender EDI policies and initiatives did marginally increase intergroup threat towards women in STEM. Finally, exposure to a debunking text before exposure to conspiracy theories did not change participants’ acceptance of them.

However, an attitude inoculation intervention for dis/misinformation and conspiracy theories about gender EDI was piloted in Chapter 7, and the results showed promise for addressing these. Chapter 8 evaluates how these findings contribute to the wider literature regarding gendered and intergroup attitudes, backlash to equality and conspiracy theory beliefs.