Recent research strengthens the mounting evidence that people believe in conspiracy theories for a variety of intricate reasons, challenging the stereotype that it stems from a lack of knowledge.
Emory University psychologist Shauna Bowes said in the news release that conspiracy theorists are not necessarily simple-minded or mentally unwell individuals as commonly portrayed; but rather, they are individuals who seek to fulfill unmet motivational needs and find coherence amidst distress and impairment.
Analyzing Belief for Conspiracy Theories
The study, titled "The Conspiratorial Mind: A Meta-Analytic Review of Motivational and Personological Correlates" by American Psychological Association, reveals that believing in conspiracy theories can be attributed to a blend of personality traits and motivation, such as a strong reliance on intuition, feelings of hostility and superiority towards others, and perceiving threats in the surroundings.
Although conspiracy thinking is a common experience, certain beliefs can pose risks when they become extreme or unfounded. By analyzing a comprehensive set of 170 studies, primarily conducted in the US, UK, and Poland, researchers led by Shauna Bowes examined the underlying motivations behind people's adherence to conspiracy theories.
While multiple factors exert influence, the data suggest that individuals are driven by a desire to feel safe, comprehend their environment, and establish social security when these fundamental needs are unmet.
These findings hold concerning implications, particularly as our world grows increasingly perilous and our future becomes more uncertain. The research team underscores in their study that motivations are pivotal and indispensable in comprehending the intricate phenomenon of conspiratorial thinking.
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Motivational Needs for Believing Conspiracy Theories
The researchers discovered that social threats were more strongly associated with belief in conspiracy theories compared to other types of threats, and this connection was closely intertwined with trust, Science Alert reported.
Trust has long been recognized as a critical factor in shaping our beliefs, as we are more inclined to accept information from individuals who belong to our own cultural group.
Interestingly, Bowes and her colleagues found that personality traits, such as lower analytical thinking ability and higher anxiety, exhibited a significant yet surprisingly modest correlation with conspiracy thinking.
The researchers suggest that this may be attributed to not considering a sufficiently long-term perspective or failing to account for the interplay between different traits, underscoring the need for further research to disentangle these aspects.
Nevertheless, consistent with previous studies, narcissism at both individual and collective levels was found to increase the likelihood of endorsing conspiracy theories, along with a need for personal uniqueness.
Individuals perceiving social threats were more inclined to believe in event-based conspiracies rather than abstract theories, whereas traits like narcissism and paranoia were more strongly associated with general conspiracy beliefs concerning how the world operates.
The role of safety and security also helps explain the upsurge in conspiracy thinking during times of crisis, such as the ongoing pandemic, when individuals face financial hardships and uncertainties related to health. Understanding these factors is crucial in assisting individuals in avoiding the pitfalls of conspiratorial thinking and minimizing the potential harm it can cause.
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