The hidden impact of conspiracy theories 1 Running head: THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES The hidden impact of conspiracy theories: Perceived and actual influence of theories surrounding the death of Princess Diana

The present research examined the perceived and actual impact of exposure to conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Princess Diana. Undergraduate students rated their agreement with a number of statements about Diana’s death. They also rated their classmates’ perceived agreement with the statements. From the same undergraduate population, a second group of students read some material containing popular conspiracy theories about Diana’s death. They then rated their own and others’ agreement with the same statements, as well as perceived retrospective attitudes (i.e., what they thought their own and others’ attitudes were before reading the material). Results revealed that while their estimates of others’ attitude change were accurate, participants underestimated the extent to which their own attitudes were influenced.