What Term Do You Use To Describe A Conspiracy Theory Believer?

People can be prone to believing in conspiracy theories due to a combination of personality traits and motivations, including relying strongly on intuition and feeling a sense of antagonism and superiority. New research by Josh Hart, associate professor of psychology, suggests that people with certain personality traits and cognitive styles are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. For example, people who believe vaccine conspiracy theories are less inclined to vaccinate their kids, creating pockets of infectious disease that put entire communities at risk.

People believe in conspiracy theories for various reasons, such as explaining random events, feeling special or unique, or for a sense of social belonging. To talk to a person who believes in a conspiracy theory, it is essential to understand their psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether there is any way to change their beliefs.

A national survey of 2021 U.S. adults asked about 15 psychological and political characteristics and beliefs in 39 different conspiracy theories. A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political.

Conspiracy theory is widely acknowledged to be a loaded term, with politicians using it to mock and dismiss allegations against them, while philosophers and scientists use it to challenge and discredit claims. Before the pandemic, the question was often asked, “How do I know whom to trust when it comes to health and science information?”