The Connection between Belief in "Conspiracy Theories" and Attitudes towards Gender Practices: the Role of Perceived Threats.

The belief in gender conspiracy theories is a belief in the existence of “gender ideology” as a secret conspiracy by influential groups aimed at harming the in-group, its traditions and values. This study is dedicated to examining the relationship between belief in gender conspiracy theories, perceived threat from gender practices and attitudes toward these practices. Gender practices were divided into two groups: the first included practices reflecting the rights and opportunities of sexual minorities – transgender and homosexual individuals and the second included practices related to reproductive rights and possibilities: abortions, sexual education, and voluntary childfree. In this study (N=172), an analysis of relevant scientific sources was conducted and a mediation analysis was performed to investigate whether perceived threats from gender practices mediate the relationship between belief in gender conspiracy theories and attitudes toward gender practices. The research results showed that belief in gender conspiracy theories significantly predicts the perception of real threat from gender practices and the perception of symbolic threat from them. It was also found that perceived real threat from gender practices is associated with attitudes towards gender practices related to sexual minorities and reproductive possibilities. Additionally, the perceived real threat mediates the relationship between belief in gender conspiracy theories and attitudes towards each type of gender practice. However, perceived symbolic threat had mediating effect only with gender practices related to reproductive possibilities.