PONE-D-21-14707

Why Conspiracy Theorists Are Not Paranoid: Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia Form Separate Factors with Distinct Psychological Predictors

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This is a very interesting paper that provide an insightful comparison between subclinical paranoia and conspiracy beliefs. I would reccomend it for acceptance.

I have just a minor observation:

1. In Study 2, you reported that the GCB has 17 items, but in the Study 3 it has 15 items. I think the latter is the correct one.

Reviewer #2: Thank you for the opportunity to review this manuscript, in which the authors further investigate the distinction between paranoia and belief in conspiracy theories. In three cross-sectional studies, they found a two-factor model of paranoid beliefs and conspiracy belief to be a better bit than a one-factor model, and that both belief systems have distinct and similar psychological factors associated with them.

Overall, I think that the manuscript reads well, the findings were very interesting, and it provides a meaningful contribute to our understanding of the relationship between paranoid beliefs and conspiracy beliefs. I have only some minor points that can be addressed:

Introduction:

There have been theoretical advancements in the conspiracy literature that were not included in the introduction. This was surprising considering the predictors variables that were included in the studies. People may be motived to believe in conspiracy theories (often unconsciously) in an attempt to satisfy/defend important psychological needs: existential (e.g., attachment insecurities), epistemic (e.g., intuitive vs analytical), social (e.g., self-esteem, narcissism; Douglas et al., 2017; see also van Prooijen, 2020). I would suggest including this framework in the conspiracy section of the introduction.

Discussion:

Paranoia and belief in conspiracy theories are two distinct psychological phenomena, agreed. What does this mean for the relationship between them though? Your title states that “..conspiracy theorists are not paranoid”. Does this mean that if someone believes in conspiracy theories for paranoid reasons (i.e., that everyone is out to get them), then they are not a conspiracy theorist but just paranoid? I think a lot more can be said in the discussion to tease apart the nuance between belief in conspiracy theories and paranoia.

The discussion lacks a conclusion to tie it all in. In light Imhoff and Lamberty (2018) and the current findings, what does this mean for the relationship between paranoia and conspiracy belief going forward?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Why Conspiracy Theorists Are Not Always Paranoid: Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia Form Separate Factors with Distinct Psychological Predictors

PONE-D-21-14707R1

Dear Dr. Bentall,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Peter Karl Jonason

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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