This research posits that conspiracy thinking has an important social function for connecting with others. The first aim is to test whether being socially excluded causes people to endorse conspiracy theories to fulfil their need to belong. The second aim is to examine whether adopting conspiracy beliefs is indeed an effective way for excluded individuals to reduce exclusion feelings. Conspiracy thinking can reduce feelings of exclusion by the group of conspiracy thinkers, but may actually fuel feelings of exclusion by society. By examining determinants and consequences of conspiracy thinking, this research provides crucial insights into ways to reduce conspiracy thinking.