External locus of control as predictor of conspiracy beliefs: A test of main effect and interaction with life dissatisfaction

Low control in specific situations (the September 11th attacks) or agency (exerting political power) has been shown to be associated with conspiracy beliefs (CBs). Scarce studies have examined the trait-like external locus of control (i.e. attributing life's circumstances to uncontrollable outside forces) as predictor of CBs, nor its interaction with life dissatisfaction. Data from a Dutch population-based survey was used to assess these associations ( n = 599). The main effect of external locus of control and its interaction with life dissatisfaction were examined. In a first model, these associations were corrected for age and gender. This model revealed that increased external locus of control and life dissatisfaction were significantly associated with more CBs. Additionally, life dissatisfaction significantly exacerbated the effects of external locus of control (interaction effect). To assert the influence of external locus of control, a second model was run which included 18 (psychological, structural and socio-political) variables that have shown their influence on CBs in previous studies. This model only showed a significant main effect of external locus of control, while life dissatisfaction and the interaction were not. Results show the importance of external locus of control as a central predictor of CBs compared to other competing factors.