What makes conspiracy theorists tick?

A recent study revealed that as many as one third of Americans believe that global warming is a hoax. A gunman stormed a pizza restaurant believing that the establishment was a front for child trafficking, after an online forum convinced him so. Anti-vaxxers and flat earthers have taken the Internet by storm. Trump won the presidency in part by appealing to conspiracy. There is evidence that as many as half of all Americans believe in some kind of conspiracy.

So what is it that makes so many people believe in these theories?

A psycological study by Karen M. Douglas, Robbie M. Sutton, and Aleksandra Cichocka attempts to find their motivations.

The study finds that epistemic motives are common across the board, the desire to find a reason for things for which their is very little information. Conspiracy theorists desire a world which is knowable, free from uncertainty, and without chaos. Under circumstance of incomplete information, theorists fill the void with whatever they see fit. From their perspective, they are privy to inside information.

There are also existential motives, the desire to feel safe because some malevolent force is in control of the situation. The study shows that people turn to conspiracy when they feel anxious and powerless. The theories exist as a sort of excuse to justify their lack autonomy. They believe that they do not succeed because an unreasonably powerful malevolent force is blocking them.

Many conspiracy theorists do so for social benefits, including to maintain or even promote their self or group image. Conspiracy theories are most common amongst those who feel that their group is under some threat from outside influence. This suggests that belief is inherently defensive, created to protect self image so as to avoid humiliation or shame.

Conspiracy theories come from groups and individuals who feel they are already alienated from society, so they create false narratives to justify their situation and explain their reality. This leads to mistrust of social institutions which causes a feedback loop of detachment from opposing groups, further alienating themselves from society.

Source:
[journals.sagepub.com]