The Reasons Behind People’S Fascination In Conspiracy Theories?

The article discusses the psychological needs that motivate people to believe in conspiracy theories: understanding, control, and self-image. It also discusses the challenges of believing in conspiracy theories, which are not new but are widespread and cut across social and political divides. The American Psychological Association published a review of 170 studies on what drives people to believe in conspiracy theories, finding that personality traits such as paranoia and antagonism are key factors.

Conspiration theories are not new, but they have been a constant hum in the background for at least the past 100 years, according to Prof Joe Uscinski. People can be prone to believe in conspiracy theories due to a combination of personality traits and motivations, including relying strongly on their intuition. Baseless theories threaten our safety and democracy, and specific emotions make people prone to such thinking.

Karen Douglas, PhD, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether they are harmful to themselves and their social environment. Conspiracy theories are everywhere, and the approach to dealing with patients with conspiracy beliefs should be similar to dealing with psychotic disorders.

In conclusion, conspiracy theories are not new, but they are widespread and cut across social and political divides. They are driven by personality traits, such as paranoia and antagonism, and can lead to harmful consequences for individuals and their social environment.