The Dull Nature Of Conspiracy Theorists?

Conspiracy theories are becoming more visible, according to social psychologist Viren Swami. These outlandish beliefs are based on a solid foundation of disbelief, and they can be physically and psychologically harmful. For example, people believe false rumors over scientific concepts and medical practices. Conspiracy theories can cause people to make outrageous claims and do misguided and sometimes dangerous things.

Karen Douglas, PhD, a professor of social psychology at the University of Kent, discusses the widespread belief in conspiracy theories as research links support in such theories to boredom proneness. The 2020 U.S. presidential election was rigged, and some people no doubt believe that. However, even if people don’t buy the whole lie, they may still latch on to conspiracy theories.

Conspiration theories about secret government plots will probably never go out of style, and at some level they function as safeguards against real conspiracies, official and otherwise. A study by R Brotherton examined personality predictors of conspiracist ideation, finding that boredom proneness was associated with conspiracy beliefs. This relationship was mediated by paranoia.

Psychological research on conspiracy theories starts, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether they are harmful to themselves and their social environment. Brent Lee spent 15 years daily consuming “truther” content online before logging off. A study on antisemitic conspiracy theories shows that they can make groups turn inwards for support and more fearful of others.

In conclusion, conspiracy theories are becoming more visible, but they can be harmful to individuals and their social environment. Understanding the relationships between paranoia, conspiracy ideation, and boredom proneness is crucial for countering these harmful beliefs.