Mr James Kempley


I am a neurodiverse academic from a non-traditional background who worked as a musician before studying psychology as a mature student. My primary research interests include the psychology of conspiracy theories, online misinformation, reasoning biases, and non-clinical traits associated with individual differences in social cognition (e.g., non-clinical autism-like traits & schizotypal traits).


My doctoral research project explored non-clinical schizotypy and reasoning biases as potential risk factors associated with receptivity to online political misinformation. I have also contributed to several published studies that have similarly explored the dynamics of online misinformation vulnerability and individual differences.


In brief

Research areas

Misinformation, Social cognition, Conspiracy theories, Schizotypy and Heuristics and Biases

Skills / expertise

Quantitative methodology , SPSS, Jamovi, Online research, Cognitive assessment and Research design

Supervision interests

Quantitative methodology, Cyberpsychology, Reasoning and Decision making, ASD, Schizotypy, Political psychology and Misinformation/Conspiracy theories