How Do Conspiracy Theories Get Started?

The unexplained suicide of Jeffrey Epstein has led to the rise of conspiracy theories, which are often based on personality traits and motivations. People may seek simplistic answers when faced with complex, coincidental or confusing situations. These theories can be grouped into three categories: the desire for understanding and certainty, the desire for control, and the desire for control.

Psychological research by Karen Douglas, PhD, of the University of Kent in the UK, discusses how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether they have been a constant hum in the background for at least the past 100 years. Conspiracy theorists rarely acknowledge when their predictions have been wrong, and why. For example, members of QAnon continue to hang on even after Q’s prophecies have been fulfilled.

A new study has found no evidence that people’s beliefs in conspiracy theories increase over time, and they can even change their minds. Baseless theories threaten our safety and democracy, and it turns out that specific emotions make people prone to such thinking. A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation asserting the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political.

The approach to patients with conspiracy beliefs should be similar to dealing with psychotic disorders. Many people believe conspiracy theories, even though such beliefs are harmful to themselves and their social environment.