In the (Epistemic) Mind of a Mormon Conspiracist | Tokens and Signs

Photoshopped image of a computer desktop with two open browser windows. One features the Tokens and Signs post on the Vision of the afterlife and the three kingdoms of glory. An open tab to the ExMormon subreddit is also visible. The other window features the page for the Hollow Earth Research Society and another tab for the official LDS church website. In the foreground is a system pop-up message entitled, "Epistemological Error." The message reads: "Your need for cognitive closure, overreliance on the affect heuristic, and propensity toward apophenia have lead to suspicion of a grand conspiracy. Would you like to receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon?" The response buttons featured below the message read, "Yes, please!" and "No thanks." The latter option is greyed out.

In the (Epistemic) Mind of a Mormon Conspiracist

The first in a series of essays summarizing my research into the social psychology of conspiracy belief and how it relates to the prevalence of conspiracy theories in Mormon communities. In this installment, we look at the epistemic motives that drive conspiracy ideation and explore how those same factors are expressed in Mormon culture.