discernment
Definition
Discernment refers to the ability to selectively and critically evaluate conspiracy theories by distinguishing between plausible and implausible claims rather than rejecting all conspiratorial thinking indiscriminately. It involves the capacity to appraise both plausible and implausible conspiracy theories with equal critical reasoning, avoiding the pitfall of blind scepticism that may result from interventions designed to reduce conspiracy belief. The Discernment condition, which explicitly discouraged blind scepticism of conspiracy theories, was the only intervention to significantly improve critical appraisal of both plausible and implausible conspiracy theories, highlighting the importance of teaching and measuring discernment as a distinct outcome in conspiracy belief research.
Sources: O’Mahony et al. (2024)
Related Terms
Applications
Discernment and Critical Appraisal
Discernment operates as a mechanism for improving critical appraisal of conspiracy theories across different levels of plausibility. The Discernment condition significantly improved critical appraisal of both plausible and implausible conspiracy theories.
Sources: O’Mahony et al. (2024)
Discernment and Conspiracy Ideation
Although discernment-focused interventions improve selective critical evaluation of specific conspiracy theories, no intervention in the research program—including the Discernment condition—statistically significantly reduced general conspiracy ideation.
Sources: O’Mahony et al. (2024)
