Are You Even A Conspirator?

Belief in conspiracy theories is normal but potentially dangerous, according to a new analysis. People can be prone to believing in conspiracy theories due to a combination of personality traits and motivations, including relying strongly on intuition, feeling antagonism, and superiority. Conspiracy theories have been a constant hum in the background for at least the past 100 years, with controversial examples including the belief that political upheavals, anxieties about sex, technology, and women are all linked to conspiracy theories.

Psychologists’ research offers insight into why people put faith in conspiracy theories such as QAnon. Karen Douglas, PhD, of the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether they are harmful. Conspiracy theories have legitimized violence, impaired public health, and undermined democratic governance. Containing their harms begins with understanding the reasons behind conspiracy theories.

Recent events, such as the election of Donald Trump, the U.S. Capitol riot, and several conspiracy theory-inspired mass shootings, have prompted concern about the number of people believing false ideas. A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political. Asbjørn Dyrendal, a professor in NTNU’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, specializes in conspiracy theories. Many people believe conspiracy theories, even though such beliefs are harmful to themselves and their social environment.