Uncertainty Avoidance, Conspiracy Mentality and Populist Attitudes in Italy: The Role of Political Orientation

This study investigates the role of some psychological variables associated with populist attitudes, specifically focusing on Conspiracy Mentality (CM) and Uncertainty Avoidance (UA). This approach allows for the examination of both belief- system orientations and cognitive predispositions in explaining the psychological underpinnings of populism. Although CM has been previously linked to populism, our research reveals new insights into the interaction between UA and political orientation. Using data from a representative sample of 1000 Italians, we show that CM is consistently associated with populist attitudes across the political spectrum. Whereas, UA's impact is moderated by political orientation, influencing populist attitudes primarily among right- leaning individuals. These findings highlight the complex interplay of psychological factors and ideological leanings, contributing to the growing understanding of how epistemic and existential motivations might shape populist beliefs. This study advances the field by highlighting differentiated psychological patterns in populist attitudes, with UA emerging as especially salient among conservatives.