Important Considerations in Forensic Evaluation of QAnon and Other Conspiracy Theorists
| Domain | Variable | Example Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Belief history | Contact with conspiracy theory | When and where did you first come into contact with QAnon content? Did you believe the QAnon claims at first? Did you have family or friends who believed in QAnon before you did? |
| Acceptance of conspiracy theory | When did you first realize that QAnon (or its subtheories) was true? What convinced you of the truth of QAnon? | |
| Engagement with conspiracy theory | How frequently do you read articles or blog posts or watch videos about QAnon?Do you communicate with other people online or in person regarding QAnon? | |
| Behaviors related to conspiracy theory | Have you met like-minded believers offline?Have you generated posts or videos about QAnon?Have you protested because of your QAnon-related beliefs?Have you engaged in criminal or violent behavior because of your QAnon-related beliefs?What is the likelihood that you will engage in violent or criminal behavior because of QAnon in the future? | |
| Cognitive | Conviction | On a scale from 0 to 100, how firmly do you believe that QAnon is true?Are there aspects of QAnon that you do not believe? Why? |
| Preoccupation | What percent of the day do you spend thinking about QAnon?How does thinking about QAnon affect your mood? | |
| Flexibility | What evidence would persuade you that some aspect of QAnon is not true?What would you do if it turns out that QAnon is false? | |
| Self-reference | Do you think that QAnon directly affects you? How?Do you view yourself as a fighter or agent of change on behalf of QAnon? | |
| Justification/rationalization | Do you feel justified to act in response to QAnon?Do your beliefs justify violence or other criminal behavior? | |
| Affective | Anger | Do you become angry when you think about QAnon?Do you feel motivated to act in response to your anger? |
| Paranoia | Does QAnon cause you to worry about your safety and the safety of others?Do you feel motivated to act to protect yourself because of your QAnon-related beliefs? | |
| Grievance | Has QAnon convinced you that you are being wronged?Do you feel motivated to right any wrongs because of your QAnon-related beliefs? |