A survey conducted by the University of Miami Human Subjects Research Office surveyed U.S. adults between April 30 and May 19, 2021. The study explored the psychological needs that motivate people to believe in conspiracy theories: understanding, control, and self-image. The unexplained suicide of Jeffrey Epstein has given rise to conspiracy theories, as people sometimes seek simplistic answers when confronted by complex, coincidental or implausible events.
Social psychologist Karen Douglas explains how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, and who is most likely to believe them. She also discusses the consequences of conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracy theories are often shared among individuals and spread through traditional and social media platforms.
People differ in their general tendency to endorse conspiracy theories (conspiracy mentality), with previous research yielding inconsistent findings on the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and belief. Conspiracy theories are a by-product of a suite of psychological mechanisms, such as pattern recognition, agency detection, threat management, and alliance detection.
Conspiration theories often develop in response to threats to people’s social identities, whether those identities are racial, political, or other. The survivability of conspiracy theories may be aided by psychological biases and distrust of official sources.
In conclusion, conspiracy theories have a significant impact on important life dimensions, and their societal risks and rewards are significant.
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