Why Do People Think That Conspiracy Theories Are True?

Conspiracy theories can be categorized into three main reasons: the desire for understanding and certainty, the desire for control, and a combination of personality traits and motivations. People are prone to believe in conspiracy theories due to a combination of these factors, including relying heavily on intuition, feeling antagonism, and superiority. Conspiracy theories have been a constant hum in the background for at least the past 100 years, according to Prof Joe Uscinski, author of American Conspiracy.

New research suggests that events happening worldwide are nurturing underlying emotions that make people more willing to believe in conspiracies. Karen Douglas, PhD, from the University of Kent, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them, and whether they are based on cognitive biases or mental health issues.

The widespread belief in conspiracy theories is cause for concern, as research links support in such theories to a combination of personality traits and motivations, including reliance on intuition. Baseless theories threaten our safety and democracy, and specific emotions make people prone to such thinking. The approach to patients with conspiracy beliefs should be similar to dealing with psychotic disorders.

In conclusion, conspiracy theories are a growing concern, as they can lead to misinformation, fear of uncertainty, and a lack of trust in health and science information. Understanding the psychological factors behind conspiracy theories is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.