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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d.
@mdmarques.com
2.5K followers 440 following 440 posts
bicycles, coffee, and social psychology. researches the causes and consequences of #conspiracytheories he/him. woiworung land. https://mdmarques.com
mdmarques.com
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · Dec 4
The effect of scientific conspiracy theories on scepticism towards biotechnologies

excited to see this #conspiracytheories paper out w/ collaborators @scicomguy.bsky.social, Art Stukas, & Jim McLennan

Will write a 🧵 soon but for now here's the #openaccess link

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Abstract Many conspiracy theories implicate scientists and science. We investigated the impact of exposure to scientific conspiracies about biotechnologies. Across three preregistered online studies (Ns = 1,000), participants who read information about conspiracies involving agribiotechnology companies or biobank scientists were more likely to endorse conspiracies. Other effects of exposure to conspiracy information were mixed. In Study 1, reading about an agricultural biotechnology conspiracy had a small significant effect on reducing intentions to eat genetically modified food. In Study 2, exposure to a conspiracy involving biobank scientists decreased support for biobanks, mediated by decreased trust in biobank scientists. In Study 3, this conspiracy had no effect on wider beliefs of the role of science in society (science populism), nor support of genetically modified food-promoting policies. Overall, we found that exposure to conspiracies involving scientific claims increased conspiracy belief endorsement and can further negative effects. However, the effects of conspiracies on science populism appear limited.
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
nickfoxnz.bsky.social
Nick Fox @nickfoxnz.bsky.social · 49m
tldr: we found very limited evidence for distress subsequently increasing belief in conspiracy theories using a longitudinal survey sampling participants 7 times over ~6 months - and no evidence for belief in conspiracy theories worsening distress over time
New research challenges the idea of a ‘vicious cycle’ between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs
One prominent theory says conspiracy beliefs are triggered by elevated distress. But a new study finds limited evidence to support this claim.
theconversation.com
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
nickfoxnz.bsky.social
Nick Fox @nickfoxnz.bsky.social · 49m
Excited for my doctoral research to be published, thanks to the support of @matthewmatix.bsky.social @srhastraea.bsky.social
Do Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Lead to Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories? - Nick D. Fox, Matt N. Williams, Stephen R. Hill, 2025
Previous research has found positive correlations between manifestations of psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, and belief in consp...
doi.org
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
briannosek.bsky.social
Brian Nosek @briannosek.bsky.social · 2d
RFK Jr is the OG p-hacker.
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
jeremypoxon.bsky.social
Jeremy Poxon @jeremypoxon.bsky.social · 3d
Now that the Deloitte report, about the government's unlawful administration of mutual obligations, is making international headlines, it's worth looking at what's actually in it (apart from AI slop) and WHY it was actually commissioned

A thread👇
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
nslayton.bsky.social
Nicholas Slayton @nslayton.bsky.social · 3d
Coming around to the theory that they're Truman Showing him
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 3d
Good lord.

@apnews.com
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 7d
mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 7d
amazing (first time for me) visit to royal botanic gardens. incredible flora and fauna (also saw a bandicoot)
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 9d
are you on a bullet train? sugoi!
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 9d
the best 12 minute ad for something you (probably) won't need
"How to Orchid" by Telepathic Instruments
YouTube video by Telepathic Instruments
www.youtube.com
Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
matthewmatix.bsky.social
Matt Williams @matthewmatix.bsky.social · 9d
I'm joining the brilliant @jkarl.bsky.social as co-EIC at Europe's Journal of Psychology. ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop

EJOP is a generalist psych journal, and applies a diamond open access model (no APC). I'd love to see more submissions with rigorous methods & well-calibrated conclusions!
Europe’s Journal of Psychology
Quarterly peer-reviewed open access journal of scientific psychology featuring original studies, research, critical contributions written by and intended for psychologists worldwide.
ejop.psychopen.eu
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
psypost.bsky.social
PsyPost @psypost.bsky.social · 10d
New psychology research suggests voters respond more to feelings than facts
New psychology research suggests voters respond more to feelings than facts
According to new research, American voters tend to follow their hearts more than their heads. The study found emotional preferences had a stronger effect on voting behavior than how closely a candidate’s views aligned with a voter’s own.
www.psypost.org
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
squigglyrick.bsky.social
Rick Morton @squigglyrick.bsky.social · 10d
“We’d like to talk to you about your vehicle’s extended warranty.”
abcnewsbot.bsky.social
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 10d
A Canberra man has captured footage of the dramatic moment a magpie plucked his earphone from his ear.
Swooping magpie plucks earphone from cyclist's ear
A Canberra man has captured footage of the dramatic moment a magpie plucked his earphone from his ear.
www.abc.net.au
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 10d
"This is what climate misinformation looks like. These claims are common, influential and damaging. They’re often spread for a reason: to slow the uptake of clean alternatives to fossil fuels. Unfortunately, they are shaping public opinion. "
PR firms are spreading climate misinformation on behalf of fossil fuel companies. Could Australia stop them?
This week, Australian policymakers heard about the real and growing problem of climate misinformation. Stopping it would mean regulating the PR industry.
theconversation.com
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 11d
Consider applying for this scholarship if you are a student to attend a course at the ACSPRI Summer Program
Christine Critchley Memorial Scholarship | ACSPRI
www.acspri.org.au
Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 14d
Report on Australian Higher Education finds:

🔹️ Council members have no lived experience of universities

🔹️ Council members have COIs with consultancy firms

🔹️ Council meetings are closed affairs that lack transparency

🔹️ Leaders' exorbitant salaries could not be justified
One submission said leaders’ salaries could not be “justified by the quality of executive decision-making, nor by the scope of executive duties. The core business of a university – teaching and research – is co-ordinated virtually entirely by ordinary non-executive staff”.
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 14d
my TV viewing buddy (Bowie) fast asleep during the UCI Elite Men's Road World Championship
#couchpeloton
Black Labrador sleeping on couch with television on in background with UCI Cycling Qorld Championships Elite Men race
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 17d
"Disadvantaged members of society might perceive experts as members of the elite that they feel alienated from and are thus less inclined to leave deliberative power in their hands."

#MetaSci #AcademicSky #SciComm #SocialPsyc 🧪
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 17d
Socioeconomic Status and Engagement with Science

"Individuals with a more advantaged socio-economic situation are more in contact with science...than their more disadvantaged counterparts."

Fascinating new work by @lucillalosi.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1177/0963...
It is repeatedly observed that public engagement with science is more common among members of the public with a more privileged socio-economic profile; however little evidence on the mechanisms of this relationship exists. This article proposes one such mechanism in deference towards authority. Through Structural Equation Model on Eurobarometer 2021 data, I investigate if favoring expert guidance over public participation in decision-making on science-related issues mediates the relationship between people’s socio-economic status and engagement with science. Results show that higher socio-economic status is associated with greater engagement but also with favor toward experts’ deliberation. Preferring experts over public involvement in decision-making is also associated with more informative engagement and less general engagement. Nevertheless, this mediating role is rather weak. Moreover, the study examines how other perceptions of science relate to socio-economic status and engagement, emphasizing the broader social and structural factors that shape opportunities for participation.
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 17d
"Social media and mainstream media also play an important role in limiting the circulation of misinformation. As Australians increasingly rely on social media for news, mainstream media can provide credible information and counter misinformation through their online story posts" @acarson.bsky.social
Facebook data reveal the devastating real-world harms caused by the spread of misinformation
New research reveals misinformation’s real-world impact, including poor health outcomes, falling public trust, and significant societal harm.
theconversation.com
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mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 18d
vivid memories of playing this with my older brother when we lived in Lisbon. he would buy sets of players, repaint some and glue them. we had players with no hair, and some that due to glue accidents became really short. all up, a lot of fun when we weren't playing football out in the streets.
thesaturdaypaper.com.au
The Saturday Paper @thesaturdaypaper.com.au · 18d
"My Subbuteo set was a hand-me-down that obliged its loving restoration," writes Martin McKenzie-Murray. "Do you remember this game? Probably not, though it’s still sold today, in tiny numbers and an age after the peak of its popularity." satpa.pe/ScKZKsz
The tabletop game Subbuteo: finger-flicking good
When an battered Subbuteo set was bequeathed to the author in the mid-1990s, it ignited a passion – just not for the tiny soccer game itself.
satpa.pe
mdmarques.com
mat marques, ph.d. @mdmarques.com · 18d
we stopped after 4 episodes. honestly should have stopped after 2. the narrative, and character arcs were very boring in what could have been a good show.
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 18d
Seems bad for our society when you can’t make racist terrorists the villains
vulture.com
Vulture @vulture.com · 19d
Apple has pulled The Savant, its series starring Jessica Chastain’s about hunting down white supremacist cells across America, from its immediate release schedule.
Apple Pulls The Savant From Its Release Schedule
Apple has pulled The Savant, its series starring Jessica Chastain’s about hunting down white supremacist cells across America, from its immediate release schedule.
www.vulture.com
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · 18d
‘This Is Like Something Out Of A David Lynch Film,’ Says Man Driving Car With Headlights On
‘This Is Like Something Out Of A David Lynch Film,’ Says Man Driving Car With Headlights On
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
caulfieldtim.bsky.social
Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 19d
Autism, vaccines and paracetamol - how Trump and RFK put conspiracies at the heart of US health policy www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

Me: "Their erosion in trust in scientific institutions is tremendously damaging."
Autism, vaccines and paracetamol –how Trump and RFK created a policy from conspiracy
As Donald Trump uses the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence, Alex Hannaford looks at the rise of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s...
www.independent.co.uk
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Reposted by mat marques, ph.d.
arstechnica.com
Ars Technica @arstechnica.com · 19d
YouTube will restore channels banned for COVID and election misinformation
Alphabet blames the Biden administration for its moderation decisions.
arstechnica.com
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