Misinformation has the potential to spread like wildfire and affect decision-making in ways that spill into fundamental domains of living (e.g., medical treatment, cooperation). Now more than ever, in the so-called “Age of Misinformation”, an understanding of the psychological factors that make people turn toward and away from false information is needed. But most research takes place in discipline-specific silos (e.g., cognitive psychology, political science), precluding systematic efforts to generate testable frameworks on misinformation susceptibility. My work ties together multiple perspectives and methods to arrive at integrative conclusions about who is susceptible to misinformation and why. My research has largely focused on one consequential and unique manifestation of belief in misinformation: conspiracy belief. Elucidating who conspiracy theorists are, clarifying how their beliefs manifest, and identifying the consequences of conspiracy belief are compelling issues that I will continue to pursue.

Misinformation susceptibility and holding evidence-based and open-minded beliefs are two sides of the same coin. Targeting both sides at once affords us the opportunity to not only reduce problematic beliefs but increase rational beliefs. Both steps are necessary to create a wiser, less polarized society. One salient construct in the context of decision-making is intellectual humility (IH), which refers to tendencies to recognize one’s intellectual limitations and remain open to different points of view. My research evaluates whether IH can improve decision-making and intergroup relations. Specifically, I examine whether IH contributes to more open-mindedness and accuracy across varied issues, social identities, and belief domains.

Intellectual humility (IH) is often considered a ‘‘virtuous mean’’, meaning it is distinguishable from both dogmatism (or intellectual arrogance) and diffidence (or intellectual servility). In addition to understanding the virtuous mean of IH, I seek to understand both extremes of the belief spectrum: unjustifiable belief certainty and diffidence. My research has evaluated the psychology of belief extremism across the belief spectrum, ideological orientations, and belief systems. I aim to shed light on the boundary conditions in the relations amongst extremism, rigidity, ideology, and individual differences variables.