Investigating the effects of social media usage, maternal & individual education, and household income on levels of conspiratorial belief

Whearity, Steven (2022) Investigating the effects of social media usage, maternal & individual education, and household income on levels of conspiratorial belief. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Aims: The present study examined the relationship between social media and Instagram usage, maternal and individual education, and household income on conspiratorial belief levels. Previous research has identified that social media usage, as well as education and income, affect conspiratorial belief levels, with longer time spent on social media, as well as low levels of education and income leading to the adoption of conspiratorial beliefs.

Method: Multiple questionnaires were administered to participants (n = 83) through a google forms document containing a demographics questionnaire, the Instagram intensity scale (IIS), the social media networking intensity scale (SNAIS) and the generic conspiratorial belief scale (GCBS).

Results: Results showed that social media and Instagram
usage were significantly correlated with conspiratorial belief levels, while maternal and individual education, and income, found no significant effect. Findings indicate a weak positive relationship with both Instagram (p < .03) and social media usage (p < .02) at a statistically significant level.

Conclusion: Findings provided the literature with a significant
correlation with social media usage and conspiratorial belief within a well-educated highincome sample. Challenging previous research that such a sample would find low levels of conspiratorial belief, suggesting further research to examine possible mediating factors between social media, education, and income as predictors of conspiracy belief.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4150 Computer Network Resources > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering > Telecommunications > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Remuneration
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2022 11:30
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2022 11:30
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5686

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