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28 Why Do People Believe Conspiracies?
Why Do People Believe in
Conspiracy Theories?
by Dr. David Ludden, Ph.D.
It seems that every family has an Uncle Joe—
the guy who goes on and on about conspiracy
theories at the holiday dinner table. The 9/11
attack was orchestrated by the government. The
moon landing was filmed in Hollywood.
Oswald did not act alone in the Kennedy
assassination. And don’t get me started on
global warming. Record low temperatures this
Christmas, and you expect me to believe the
world is actually getting warmer? Give me a
break.
Maybe we should give Uncle Joe a
break, or at least try to understand where he’s
coming from. Why do some people believe in
conspiracy theories anyway? This is exactly the
question posed by British psychologist Karen
Douglas and her colleagues in a recent article in
the journal Current Directions in Psychological
Science.
The researchers found that reasons for
believing in conspiracy theories can be grouped
into three categories:
- The desire for understanding and certainty
- The desire for control and security
- The desire to maintain a positive self-image
Let’s look at each of these motives in turn.
The desire for understanding and
certainty.
Seeking explanations for events is a natural
human desire. We’re constantly asking why
things happen the way they do. Why does it
have to rain the day I want to go out? Why did pundits and politicians assure me that global basic needs we all have: to understand the world
she give me the cold shoulder like that? Why
can’t you understand what I’m trying to tell
you?
And we don’t just ask questions. We
also quickly find answers to those questions—
not necessarily the true answers, but rather
answers that comfort us or that fit into our
worldview. It’s raining because I always have
the worst luck. She gave me the cold shoulder
because she can’t stand it when she doesn’t get
her way. You can’t understand what I’m saying
because you’re just not listening.
We all harbor false beliefs, that is, things
we believe to be true but in fact are not. For
example, if you believe Sydney is the capital of
Australia, you’re the victim of a false belief. But
once you’re confronted with the fact Canberra is
the capital of Australia, you’ll readily change
your mind. After all, you were simply
misinformed, and you’re not emotionally
invested in it.
Conspiracy theories are also false
beliefs, by definition. But people who believe in
them have a vested interest in maintaining them.
First, they’ve put some effort into
understanding the conspiracy-theory
explanation for the event, whether by reading
books, going to web sites, or watching TV
programs that support their beliefs. Uncertainty conspiracy theories has given him a sense that Cichocka, A. (2017). The psychology of
is an unpleasant state, and conspiracy theories
provide a sense of understanding and certainty
that is comforting.
The desire for control and security. understand the science. Rather, they trust the
experts. And so, when Uncle Joe starts trotting
People need to feel they’re in control of their out all the “evidence” against global warming, it
lives. For instance, many people feel safer when can be difficult to make a reasonable
they’re the driver in the car rather than a counterargument. All you’ve got is the feeling
passenger. Of course, even the best drivers can that the conspiracy theory seems too
get into accidents for reasons beyond their complicated to be true, but from Uncle Joe’s
control. perspective, it’s clear he knows more about the
Likewise, conspiracy theories can give subject than you do.
their believers a sense of control and security.
This is especially true when the alternative Summary
account feels threatening. For example, if global
temperatures are rising catastrophically due to In sum, we have a good understanding of what
human activity, then I’ll have to make painful motivates people to believe in conspiracy
changes to my comfortable lifestyle. But if theories. That is, they do so because of three
warming is a hoax, then I can maintain my around us, to feel secure and in control, and to
current way of living. This kind of motivated maintain a positive self-image. But do
reasoning is an important component in conspiracy-theory beliefs actually help people
conspiracy theory beliefs. satisfy these needs?
Studies have found that when college
The desire to maintain a positive self- students are exposed to conspiracy theories,
they show an increased sense of insecurity. This
image.
has led some researchers to conclude that
conspiracy-theory belief is self-defeating.
Research shows that people who feel socially
However, as Douglas and her colleagues point
marginalized are more likely to believe in out, most college students have little motivation
conspiracy theories. We all have a desire to
to believe in conspiracy theories in the first
maintain a positive self-image, which usually
place. What’s really needed, they argue, are
comes from the roles we play in life—our jobs
some carefully designed studies that directly
and our relationships with family and friends.
examine those who already believe in
When we know we make a positive difference
conspiracy theories.
in the lives of others—as parent, spouse, friend,
Regardless of the outcome of these
teacher or mentor—we see our own lives as
future studies, the real question for us now is
worthwhile, and we feel good about ourselves.
how to deal with the Uncle Joe in our life. You
But say Uncle Joe is on disability and may offer counterevidence in an attempt
hasn’t worked in years. He feels socially
convince him to give up his conspiracy theories,
excluded. However, he does have plenty of time
but you’re unlikely to succeed. This is because
to surf the internet for information about
you’re arguing facts, while Uncle Joe is
conspiracy theories, and he can chat online with
defending his sense of security and his positive
others who hold similar beliefs. Thus, belief in
feelings about himself. And for all of us, self-
conspiracy theories gives Uncle Joe a sense of
image trumps facts every time.[]
community.
Furthermore, his research into
(References Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R. M., &
he is the holder of privileged knowledge. Most
conspiracy theories. Current Directions in
people who believe global warming is real or
Psychological Science, 26, 538-542)
that vaccines are safe don’t do so because they