Were Conspiracy Theorists Who Wrote It?

Conspiracy theories are an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small powerful group. They often identify an imaginary subversive group that is supposedly attacking the nation and require the government and allied forces to engage in harsh extra-legal repression. This paper analyzes key psychological themes in language used by prominent conspiracy theorists and science advocates on Twitter, as well as those of a random sample of individuals. Lewandowsky’s findings in 2013 in Psychological Science brought these conspiracy theorists out of the woodwork, leading to their criticism online.

Conspiration theories about the 9/11 terror attacks accuse the Bush administration, the Saudi Government, corporations, the financial industry, and Jews. Conspiracy theories about climate change accuse the West. Now, groups from different corners of American society, such as vaccine skeptics, conspiracy theorists, and organizations like East, have joined the critics. The treatment reduced participants’ belief in their chosen conspiracy theory by 20 on average, which persisted undiminished for at least 2 months.

Conspiration theories have flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they can be dangerous and difficult to identify, debunk, and counter. Literary plots have long been connected to conspiracy theories, but these fictitious notions can seduce believers. Karl Raimund Popper, a philosopher, put conspiracy theories on the philosophical agenda. A Charles Sturt University philosophy academic challenges how “conspiracy theories” are commonly thought of, defined, and espoused.

The survivability of conspiracy theories may be aided by psychological biases and distrust of official sources.