Why Conspiracy Theories About America Tend To Be?

Conspiracy theories have been a constant presence in popular culture for at least the past 100 years, according to Prof Joe Uscinski, author of American Conspiracy. A study analyzed data from 170 studies to understand why people believe in conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories offer easy answers by portraying the world as simpler and more predictable than it is. The popularity of conspiracy theories has increased during the era of Donald Trump’s presidency, with numerous unfounded theories entering the mainstream.

Conspiration theories are defined by four characteristics: a group acting in secret to alter institutions, usurp power, hide truth, or gain utility. Psychological (dark triad, propensity to share false information online) and non-partisan/ideological political (populism, Manicheanism) factors contribute to conspiracy theories. Polls from Ipsos and other organizations show that most Americans accept the legitimacy of the Biden administration, but disinformation continues to swirl.

Despite being criticized in popular culture, research shows that most Americans believe in conspiracy theories. In United States politics, conspiracy theories are beliefs that a major political situation is the result of secretive collusion by powerful people striving for power. People can be prone to believing in conspiracy theories due to a combination of personality traits and motivations, including relying strongly on their intuition.

The approach to patients with conspiracy beliefs should be similar to dealing with psychotic disorders. Conspiracy theories have always served as dark counter programming to the dark side of society. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump fly a U.S. flag over a symbol representing the QAnon conspiracy theory as they gather outside the U.S.