The hyper-systemizing hypothesis: how the tendency to systemize influences conspiracy beliefs and belief inflexibility in clinical and general populations

Endorsing conspiracy beliefs may relate to fixated interests and less flexible thinking—patterns often observed in individuals with higher autistic traits and autism spectrum disorder. This study examines whether systemizing tendencies, measured by the Systemizing Quotient, contribute to conspiracy belief formation. Study 1, in a general population sample, identified two latent profiles with high autistic traits: one with strong systemizing, better scientific reasoning, and greater conspiracy endorsement; another with lower systemizing, weaker scientific reasoning, but similarly high conspiracy beliefs. These contrasting profiles suggest different cognitive pathways to conspiracy beliefs. Study 2, in an autistic sample, found that systemizing moderated the relationship between autistic traits and conspiracy beliefs, with an interaction between belief inflexibility and systemizing. Overall, these findings suggest systemizing shapes distinct cognitive profiles in individuals with high autistic traits, influencing scientific reasoning and conspiracy endorsement. Systemizing emerged as a key predictor, supporting the hyper-systemizing hypothesis as a distinct pathway to conspiracy beliefs.