Psychological distance is the mindset of individuals and how they process information (how they integrate and weigh veracity cues). When psychological distance is deemed further away, positive information is weighted more heavily. In contrast, when information is psychologically close, negative information is more focused on.

In relation to conspiracy theory endorsement, threats to one's groups could be deemed "psychologically close," because the threat is near the individual. Because of this, the individual would view the negative information, like a threatening conspiracy theory, to be likely true. This makes the individual more likely to endorse a conspiracy theory.