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Journals / AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1

The Foundations of Belief in Conspiracy Theories: The Influence of Object Relations and Moral Disengagement

Komplo Teorilerine İnanmanın Temelleri: Nesne İlişkileri ve Ahlaki Uzaklaşma Etkisi

Ahmet Yasin Şenyurt(BALIKESİR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN-EDEBİYAT FAKÜLTESİ, PSİKOLOJİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0003-4779-9422
Gizem Adatepe(Balıkesir Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakülesi, Psikoloji Bölümü)0009-0000-3220-3409
Pages
85–111
Publication Date
2026-01-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study highlights the importance of early relational patterns and moral cognitive processes in understanding the psychological roots of conspiracy theories.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the relationships between object relations, moral disengagement, and belief in conspiracy theories, specifically testing the mediating role of moral disengagement in these relationships.
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Key Findings & Data:Data were collected from 434 participants in Turkey via snowball sampling using the Bell Object Relations Inventory, the General Conspiracy Beliefs Scale, and the Moral Disengagement Scale.
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Conclusion & Impact:This study highlights the importance of early relational patterns and moral cognitive processes in understanding the psychological roots of conspiracy theories.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Ahlaki uzaklaşma · komplo teorileri · nesne ilişkileri

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between object relations, moral disengagement, and belief in conspiracy theories, specifically testing the mediating role of moral disengagement in these relationships. Object relations theory suggests that early attachment experiences shape lifelong psychological processes and interpersonal perceptions. When these experiences are insecure, individuals may develop biased worldviews and altered moral frameworks. Moral disengagement involves cognitive mechanisms that legitimize unethical behavior, whereas conspiracy theories are skeptical beliefs that attribute events to hidden, malevolent groups. Data were collected from 434 participants in Turkey via snowball sampling using the Bell Object Relations Inventory, the General Conspiracy Beliefs Scale, and the Moral Disengagement Scale. Path analyses conducted in JAMOVI revealed significant positive correlations between maladaptive object relations, moral disengagement, and conspiracy beliefs. Specifically, moral disengagement was found to mediate the effect of egocentrism on all dimensions of conspiracy belief. Additionally, insecure attachment positively predicted beliefs in secret powers. These findings suggest that individuals with egocentric tendencies may rationalize conspiracy beliefs by externalizing moral responsibility through moral disengagement. Furthermore, insecure attachment patterns appear to foster a perception of the world as threatening and uncontrollable, reinforcing the tendency to endorse secret power narratives. This study highlights the importance of early relational patterns and moral cognitive processes in understanding the psychological roots of conspiracy theories.

Özet

Bu çalışma; nesne ilişkileri, ahlaki uzaklaşma ve komplo teorilerine olan inanç arasındaki ilişkileri incelemeyi ve ahlaki uzaklaşmanın bu süreçteki aracı rolünü test etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nesne ilişkileri kuramı, erken dönem bağlanma deneyimlerinin bireyin dünyayı algılayışını ve ahlaki değerlerini şekillendirdiğini savunur. Ahlaki uzaklaşma, etik dışı davranışları meşrulaştıran bilişsel mekanizmaları; komplo teorileri ise olayların gizli ve kötü niyetli gruplarca yönetildiğine dair inançları ifade eder. Kartopu örnekleme yöntemiyle Türkiye genelinden ulaşılan 434 katılımcıdan; Bell Nesne İlişkileri Envanteri, Genel Komplo İnançları Ölçeği ve Ahlaki Uzaklaşma Ölçeği aracılığıyla veri toplanmıştır. JAMOVI yazılımı ile yapılan analizler; nesne ilişkilerinin alt boyutları, ahlaki uzaklaşma ve komplo inançları arasında anlamlı pozitif ilişkiler olduğunu göstermiştir. Bulgular, ahlaki uzaklaşmanın, benmerkezciliğin tüm komplo inancı boyutları üzerindeki etkisinde aracı rol oynadığını ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, güvensiz bağlanmanın gizli güçlere olan inancı pozitif yönde yordadığı saptanmıştır. Bu sonuçlar, benmerkezci eğilimleri olan bireylerin, ahlaki sorumluluğu dışsallaştırarak komplo inançlarını rasyonalize edebildiklerini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, güvensiz bağlanma örüntülerinin dünyayı tehdit edici ve kontrol edilemez bir yer olarak algılamaya katkıda bulunarak gizli güçlere olan inancı artırdığı değerlendirilebilir. Bu çalışma, komplo teorilerinin psikolojik kökenlerini anlamada erken dönem ilişkisel örüntülerin ve ahlaki bilişsel süreçlerin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Şenyurt, A. Y., Adatepe, G. (2026). The Foundations of Belief in Conspiracy Theories: The Influence of Object Relations and Moral Disengagement. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1, 85–111. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1662551

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