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Psychology  2026 

Hamas Conspiracy Theories: Personality and Demographic Correlates of Three Conspiracy Theories

DOI: 10.4236/psych.2026.172006, PP. 113-125

Keywords: Conspiracy Theory, Dark Triad, Demographics, Hamas/Israeli Conflict

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Abstract:

This paper attempted to advance the Conspiracy Theory (CT) literature in two ways. First, we devised a new CT measure concerning the Hamas/Israeli conflict (H/IC), which we correlated with two other CTs: a general, and health-related CT. Second, we assessed the Dark Tetrad traits in addition to demographic, ideological, self-esteem (SE), and Just World Belief (BJW) correlates on all three CTs. All CTs maintained acceptable alphas and were highly correlated 0.46 < r < 0.83. Psychopathology on the Tetrad measure was related to all three CTs. The correlation and regression results highlighted different factors, but clearly endorsing one CT is the strongest predictor of other CTs: evidence of a CT mindset. Demographic (sex, education), political beliefs, Dark Tetrad traits (Narcissism, Psychopathology) and BJWs were significant in the regression onto H/IC. Implications and limitations are acknowledged.

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