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Chipping, intrigues of aliens, the seizure of power by artificial intelligence … Alternative versions and rumors arise regarding any significant social or political event. Conspiracy theories are born. On closer examination, none stand up to scrutiny, but many people continue to believe in them. Why?
Conspiracy theories are as old as the world, but only recently psychologists have figured out why they have so many supporters. As a rule, such concepts “expose” the intentions of secret societies pursuing base goals.
The assassination of President Kennedy, the terrorist attack on the editorial office of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo, or the COVID-19 pandemic – conspiracy theorists are right there. Even climate change is explained by insidious machinations – “world government”, of course. What makes people believe in absurd interpretations of significant events?
At face value
The researchers tried to figure out why some part of humanity takes conspiracy theories at face value, while some people profit from them. A group of French psychologists led by Professor Anthony Lantian identified personality characteristics that are characteristic of those who believe in conspiracy theories: impressionability, suspicion, quarrelsomeness, Machiavellianism.
Disobedience in this context is considered as the lowest score on the so-called scale of goodwill. According to it, psychologists determine how reliable, friendly and cooperative a person is. Machiavellianism as a psychological category characterizes those who act solely in their own interests and are ready to manipulate, deceive and use.
People with persistent conspiracy beliefs often overestimate the value of random coincidences. They see premeditation where there is none, and are practically incapable of thinking analytically. No wonder, because it is worth analyzing the situation and comparing the facts, as the conspiracy theory crumbles before our eyes.
Was there a second shooter?
Take the 2017 Las Vegas shooting for example. Then former accountant Stephen Paddock fired from a room located on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, people who came to a country music concert. As a result of his actions, 58 people were killed and another 546 were injured.
Tens of thousands of people around the world believe that there were two shooters, and the hypothesis is based on some kind of “evidence”: a couple of blurry videos with barely audible sound.
These videos purportedly confirm that the second shooter opened fire from the fourth floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel – although there were no broken windows, and the police combed the building. In addition, conspiracy theorists are silent about the fact that the windows in Mandalay Bay do not open at all, as in most Vegas hotels.
If the windows remained intact, it turns out that no one fired from the fourth floor? Why was a second shooter needed at all? To convince everyone that the official version is a lie. Because his presence “indicates” that the authorities intend to impose a “new world order”. Or something along those lines.
In order to logically substantiate the presence of the second shooter, it is necessary to abandon an adequate perception of reality and elementary critical thinking. Without a single piece of evidence, conspiracy theorists invent arguments in favor of an alternative version in order to pass them off as “facts”. But when someone begins to extract information from the air, it is easy to guess that there is no smell of critical thinking here.
Conspiracy theories make you feel special
Experts have found a link between the need for uniqueness and belief in conspiracy theories. As it turned out, the higher this need for a person, the more willingly he supports conspiracy theses, where special, even limited information is presented.
Moreover, conspiracy theorists refer to secret knowledge and classified data, supposedly, by definition, inaccessible to the general public. After all, if the facts are well known, all the intrigue will be lost.
Conspiracy theorists feel “chosen”. They seriously think that they are the best informed about important social or political events. Often these are people with a pronounced narcissistic personality accentuation. They have an acute need to feel different from everyone else.
Conspiracy theorists tend to be introverted and uncommunicative
People who don’t feel like they belong to any group are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. Many of them are characterized by unstable self-esteem and self-doubt. Psychologists have noted that adherents of conspiracy theories are acutely aware of their powerlessness, behave aloofly and despise universal human values. In general, this means a subjective rejection of social norms.
Disobedience to social norms strengthens conspiracy thinking. Why?
- “Everyone lies”. Alienation leads to the fact that people reject any rational interpretation of events, because they deny the legitimacy of the source of this information. Such individuals feel like outcasts and, for the sake of belonging, often join conspiracy groups. Or they join marginalized subcultures where all sorts of alternative concepts flourish.
- “Someone else is to blame”. The feeling of one’s own powerlessness also pushes one to believe in conspiracy theories. After all, then you can avoid responsibility for personal problems. Thus, a person seems to acquire significance, confidence and control over an unpredictable and dangerous world.
- “The world is full of evil and strong people”. If a person believes that he is powerless, and society is completely devoid of morality, it is much easier for him to believe in the most insidious and global plans.
Thanks to the Internet, dissidents have been able to unite, share speculation and spread their views. Just hours after the Las Vegas mass shooting, a conspiracy community has formed on Facebook with more than 5 members.
Conspiracy theories are based on people, not facts.
It is useless to argue with supporters of conspiracy theories, because their beliefs are irrational. On the contrary, they are driven by fear and paranoia. When faced with reasonable counterarguments, they will brush them aside and the person who made them. “Fake!” they will say in response to any sound, mature and coherent argument.
Conspiracy theories are held by those who blindly believe in them, spread and do not accept logical justification. Conspiracy theories are indestructible. And as long as there are people in the world who need to believe in them, they will grow and prosper. The Internet and social networks like Facebook have only made it easier for them to reach those who need them.
Save your strength, do not argue with adherents of conspiracy theories, because even a ton of indisputable evidence will not convince them.