Political psychology · University of Central Florida
How do people decide what to believe about politics?
I study conspiracy thinking, trust, and skepticism in the American public, and how to measure them well. I’m an associate professor in UCF’s School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs.
What the research shows
Findings in plain language, each with the paper behind it.
Four popular “conspiracy mentality” scales mostly measure the same thing, but not only that.
The scales share one dominant factor. Two also pick up extra content: paranormal belief in one, partisanship in another.
Smallpage, Jensen & Askew (2026), Frontiers in Psychology. Read the paper
Partisans believe the conspiracy theories that blame the other side.
Which theories people accept depends on whom the theory accuses, not on a general taste for conspiracy alone.
Smallpage, Enders & Uscinski (2017), Research & Politics. Read the paper
People hide some of their conspiracy beliefs from pollsters.
Across seven countries, respondents who could report how many of eight conspiracy statements they believed, without saying which, reported about 0.8 more than respondents asked to name them.
Smallpage, Enders, Drochon & Uscinski (2023), Political Science Research and Methods. Read the paper
Writing for the public
Conspiracy thinking is only dangerous when it mixes with extreme partisanship
LSE US Politics and Policy blog · 2018
Racial prejudice, not populism or authoritarianism, predicts support for Trump over Clinton
Washington Post, Monkey Cage · 2016
Obama was right: Conspiracy theorists are more likely to oppose gun control
Washington Post, Monkey Cage · 2016
Interviews, talks, and collaborations
Journalists, event organizers, and researchers: I’m glad to hear from you.