A Note on Fairness and Evidence

This article does not argue that intelligence determines political belief, nor does it claim that all people with right-wing views think in the same way. Political beliefs are shaped by many factors, including culture, experience, education, and personal values.

The research discussed here focuses on authoritarian and rigid thinking styles, not on conservatism as a whole. Many people hold right-leaning views thoughtfully, critically, and without prejudice.

The aim of this article is not to silence debate or label disagreement as ignorance. It is to explain, using established psychological research, how certain thinking patterns can make anyone more vulnerable to misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear-based narratives, particularly in online environments.

Understanding these patterns helps protect open discussion rather than restrict it

Discussions about politics often become heated, especially when intelligence or psychology is mentioned. Many people assume that research claiming links between right-wing views, conspiracy theories, and racism is about insulting people or labelling them as unintelligent. That is not what the evidence shows.

Psychological research over the last five years paints a more careful picture. It shows that how people think often matters more than how clever they are, especially when it comes to beliefs about society, power, and out-groups (Pilch et al., 2023; Salvi et al., 2023).

This article explains what researchers have found, in straightforward terms.

It Is Not About Being Clever or Stupid

First, it is important to be clear. Research does not say that all people with right-wing views are unintelligent. Many highly educated and capable people hold conservative political beliefs.

What the research does show is that some forms of right-wing ideology, particularly those focused on strict social order, strong authority, and hostility towards outsiders, are more common among people who struggle with complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity (Hodson and Busseri, 2012; Scharbert et al., 2025).

Psychologists call this cognitive style. It describes how people deal with information, not how much they know.

When was the last time you felt uncomfortable with uncertainty and wanted a clear answer quickly?

Why Simpler Explanations Can Feel Safer

Some people feel deeply uncomfortable when the world feels uncertain or complicated. They prefer clear rules, firm boundaries, and simple explanations. Psychologists refer to this as a high need for certainty.

Research shows that people with a strong need for certainty are more likely to be drawn to political ideas that divide the world into clear groups such as good and bad, us and them (Salvi et al., 2023).

Right-wing authoritarian beliefs often offer this clarity. They promise order and safety, but they can also encourage fear of outsiders such as immigrants or minority groups, who are portrayed as threats to social stability (Scharbert et al., 2025).

How Conspiracy Theories Fit In

Conspiracy theories often offer simple answers to complex problems. They blame secret groups, powerful elites, or minority communities for social change or hardship.

Recent studies in the UK, Europe, and the United States show that people who prefer simple explanations and dislike uncertainty are more likely to believe conspiracy theories, especially when those theories align with right-wing worldviews (Pilch et al., 2023; Jedinger and Masch, 2025).

The Great Replacement conspiracy theory claims that white populations are being deliberately replaced by immigrants. Research shows that belief in this theory is linked to lower critical thinking ability and higher authoritarian attitudes (Jedinger, Masch and Burger, 2023).

Importantly, people who regularly question information, check sources, and reflect carefully are far less likely to believe such conspiracies, regardless of political views.

Have you ever believed something online that later turned out to be false? What made it convincing at the time?

Confidence Does Not Always Mean Competence

Some research has found that people with strong right-wing beliefs often believe they are very good at understanding numbers and evidence, but perform worse on tests that measure these skills (Choma, Sumantry and Hanoch, 2019).

This gap between confidence and actual ability matters because it can make people less willing to accept corrections or new information. If someone believes they already understand an issue fully, they are less likely to change their mind, even when presented with reliable evidence.

A common pattern on social media involves users sharing headlines without reading the full article. When a post confirms an existing belief, it is often shared immediately. Studies show this happens more often when people rely on emotional certainty rather than careful evaluation.

This helps explain why misinformation spreads so easily on social media platforms.

When was the last time you changed your mind after seeing new evidence?

Why Racism Is Linked to Authoritarian Beliefs

Racism is not simply about hatred. It is often rooted in fear and a desire to protect a familiar way of life.

Studies across Europe and North America consistently show that people who strongly believe in obedience to authority, strict social rules, and traditional hierarchies are more likely to see minority groups as dangerous or disruptive (Hodson and Busseri, 2012; Scharbert et al., 2025).

These beliefs make it easier to justify discrimination or exclusion, particularly when political or media messaging frames minorities as threats.

Racist conspiracy theories combine fear, certainty-seeking, and authoritarian thinking into a single story that feels emotionally satisfying, even when it is factually wrong.

During the Brexit campaign, messages such as “Take Back Control” spread rapidly online. These slogans offered certainty and emotional reassurance but avoided explaining the economic and political trade-offs involved. Research suggests that people who prefer clear and simple explanations were more likely to accept these messages without questioning their accuracy.

Are Conservatives More Closed-Minded

This is a sensitive question. Recent high-quality studies show that people at the extreme ends of politics, both left and right, can be resistant to changing their views.

However, authoritarian forms of right-wing ideology are more strongly linked to discomfort with uncertainty and resistance to opposing information. These traits make people more vulnerable to rigid thinking and conspiracy beliefs.

That said, most people, regardless of politics, are capable of changing their views when they feel safe, respected, and presented with clear evidence.

Why This Research Matters

Understanding these patterns is not about blaming or shaming. It is about recognising how fear, uncertainty, and thinking habits shape beliefs.

In times of rapid social change, economic pressure, and online misinformation, simple answers can feel comforting. Unfortunately, they can also lead to division, prejudice, and hostility.

The evidence suggests that improving critical thinking skills, encouraging open discussion, and reducing fear-based political messaging are far more effective than arguing or mocking.

How do you usually respond when information challenges your beliefs?

Why Rigid Thinking Can Lead to Harmful Beliefs

In essence, authoritarian and rigid forms of right-wing thinking are linked to difficulty thinking outside the box, especially when ideas challenge existing beliefs, social hierarchies, or group identity.

Thinking outside the box usually requires sitting with uncertainty, questioning assumptions, and tolerating ideas that feel unsettling. These are exactly the conditions that authoritarian thinkers tend to avoid.

Psychologists describe this pattern as cognitive rigidity. Cognitive rigidity means struggling to adapt thinking when faced with new information, alternative perspectives, or evidence that contradicts existing beliefs (Salvi et al., 2023).

This helps explain why some people are more vulnerable to broad and harmful claims, such as believing all Muslims are dangerous, accepting simplified nationalistic narratives, or uncritically trusting information shared on social media.

Social media platforms amplify this problem. Their algorithms prioritise emotionally charged content, especially fear and anger. People who already struggle with uncertainty are more likely to accept these messages and become trapped in one-sided information loops.

Cognitive rigidity often involves:

• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty
• Strong emotional attachment to beliefs
• Resistance to corrective information
• Preference for simple explanations over complex ones

Final Thoughts

Right-wing beliefs are not caused by low intelligence. However, authoritarian thinking, discomfort with uncertainty, and weak critical thinking skills are linked to higher belief in conspiracy theories and racist ideas.

When politics becomes about certainty instead of understanding, everyone loses.

A healthier society depends on curiosity, empathy, and the ability to sit with complexity, even when it feels uncomfortable..

References

Bowes, S.M. et al. (2025) ‘Are conservatives more rigid thinkers?’, Political Psychology, Advance online publication.

Choma, B.L., Sumantry, D. and Hanoch, Y. (2019) ‘Right-wing ideology and numeracy: A perception of greater ability but poorer performance’, Judgment and Decision Making, 14(4), pp. 412–422.

Hodson, G. and Busseri, M.A. (2012) ‘Bright minds and dark attitudes: Lower cognitive ability predicts greater prejudice through right-wing ideology and low intergroup contact’, Psychological Science, 23(2), pp. 187–195.

Jedinger, A. (2021) ‘Do smarter people have more conservative economic preferences?’, Personality and Individual Differences, 181, 111030.

Jedinger, A., Masch, L. and Burger, A. (2023) ‘Cognitive reflection and endorsement of the Great Replacement conspiracy theory’, Social Psychological Bulletin, 18(2), e10825.

Jedinger, A. and Masch, L. (2025) ‘Need for cognitive closure, political trust, and belief in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic’, Frontiers in Social Psychology, 2.

Lietz, A. (2025) ‘Conspiracy beliefs in times of COVID-19: The mediating role of right-wing authoritarianism’, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Advance online publication.

Pilch, I. et al. (2023) ‘Psychological antecedents of conspiracy beliefs: A systematic review’, Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1081634.

Salvi, C. et al. (2023) ‘Does social rigidity predict cognitive rigidity?’, Psychological Research, 87, pp. 1095–1112.

Scharbert, J. et al. (2025) ‘Right-wing authoritarianism and perceived threat from minoritised groups’, British Journal of Social Psychology, 64(1), pp. 1–22.