Conspiracy Theories and their Causes

There are a variety of motivations and psychological factors

Conspiracy theories are unproven explanations of events that claim powerful and secretive individuals or groups, often with political motives, are manipulating events behind the scenes. These theories typically oppose mainstream expert consensus. They rely on belief rather than evidence, making them resistant to falsification. Offering conspiracy theorists countering facts not only doesn’t change their minds but often reinforces their beliefs. 

Conspiracy theories have negative and dangerous consequences, including persecution of innocent people, the spreading of disinformation. and failing to focus on the real causes of problems.  

While genuine conspiracies exist and some at first seemingly wild theories turn out to be true, these are proven through proof and objective facts, and are eventually accepted by most experts and historians in the field.

Conspiracy theories are often identified due to being far-fetched, having logical inconsistencies, and being counter to evidence and common sense. 

The factors behind conspiracy theories 

There are a variety of motivations and psychological factors that contribute to conspiracy theories. 

The motivations arise from recent crises, setbacks, and legitimate concerns. These include terrorism, wars, and a sense of societal decline. Conspiracy theories are attempts to give answers to, and reduce one’s anxiety and cognitive dissonance about, troubling and unanswered situations.  

Conspiracy theorists usually distrust authority, feel alienated from society, perceive threats in the environment, and feel they and/or their group is superior to others.  They are usually strongly guided by intuition.

Common personality traits of conspiracy theorists include insecurity, paranoia, impulsivity, emotional volatility, eccentricity, and egocentricity. Cognitive biases, such as confirmation biases, contribute.  

In essence, conspiracy theories are extreme manifestations of common human traits. We all have cognitive biases, use emotional thinking, can be suspicious of others, and at times fall for false ideas that we later realize make no sense. We all can fall into echo chambers and are influenced by logical fallacies. 

The key is to develop and use critical thinking and have a healthy skepticism including of our own beliefs. It is essential to know that, even when we strongly disagree with and don’t understand them, our opponents may have good intentions and be good people.

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See also:

The Dangers of Demonizing Opponents

What is Critical Thinking?

Echo Chambers and Epistemic Bubbles

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References:

People Drawn to Conspiracy Theories Share a Cluster of Psychological Features - Scientific American 

Why So Many People Still Fall for Conspiracy Theories | Psychiatrist.com 

Personality Traits and Conspiracy Theories | Psychology Today 

Why some people are willing to believe conspiracy theories-- American Psychological Association