Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole: How Technology Conspiracy Beliefs Emerge and Foster a Conspiracy Mindset
研究发现技术阴谋信念广泛存在，影响商业和公共技术，并通过四项实证表明这些信念会强化阴谋心态，破坏社会合作与危机应对，对技术设计者和管理者具有警示意义。
Conspiracy theories are increasingly emerging as a threat to contemporary society. Prior research highlights the crucial role that information technology (IT) plays in accelerating the spread of these theories. However, mass media coverage suggests that the role of IT extends beyond mere dissemination as conspiracy theories often target the technology itself. In this research, we explore the prevalence of technology conspiracy beliefs—specifically, beliefs in technology-related conspiracy theories, the factors promoting these beliefs, and their consequences. Our findings reveal that technology conspiracy beliefs are widespread, affecting popular commercial technologies, such as Amazon Echo and Google Search Engine, as well as public technologies designed for societal well-being, such as contact tracing apps. Moreover, we demonstrate across four empirical studies that technology conspiracy beliefs reinforce a conspiracy mindset. This mindset is associated with a breakdown of social collaboration, constructive political discourse, and society’s ability to respond to crises. Given that these beliefs impede the adoption of beneficial technology and foster a harmful conspiracy mindset, they should be a primary concern for technology designers, managers, and policymakers. By identifying the perceptions of technology and its provider that promote these conspiracy beliefs, we provide initial insights into ways to mitigate their emergence.