Politics, faith and social media: A multi-method study on conspiracy theory beliefs

Conspiracy theories are a common feature of political and social life, offering simple but powerful explanations for social and political events. Turkey provides a particularly revealing case, where strong ideological divides and rapid digitalization create fertile ground for such narratives. From the HAARP claims after the 2023 earthquakes to broader ideas of Western plots against the nation, CT beliefs have become widespread across different segments of society, making it essential to understand the conditions under which these beliefs take hold. This dissertation examines the individual factors shaping CT beliefs in Turkey through a multi-method design. Drawing on two nationally representative surveys and one experimental study, it analyzes how ideology and psychological predispositions interact, how religiosity and spirituality influence susceptibility in distinct ways, and how different content formats on social media affect persuasion. The findings show that CT beliefs do not stem from a single source, but instead arise through context-dependent interactions. By bringing together insights from political psychology and communication research, this dissertation offers a multidimensional account of how CT beliefs emerge and persist. The results highlight the importance of distinguishing between different types of conspiracies and show how individual traits and media environments jointly shape belief. Beyond the Turkish case, the study underscores the value of integrative, cross-disciplinary approaches for understanding the conditions under which conspiratorial worldviews thrive, as well as their implications for political behavior.