In Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity, Sander van der Linden discusses the reasons why conspiracy theories can be psychologically attractive and explains why they spread so easily. Conspiracy theories offer simple explanations for complex events and restore a sense of control and agency in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty. They are more likely to be believed by individuals who are currently not in power and who feel uncertain and powerless in times of crisis. Belief in conspiracy theories seems to fluctuate as a function of societal and political unrest. The internet and social media have allowed conspiracy theories to flourish and spread in unprecedented ways. Meanwhile, Joseph Uscinski, Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami, argues that conspiracy theories are for “losers” and that they lead to dangerous outcomes. The increase in endorsement of conspiracy theories can be tracked, but it’s unclear if belief in conspiracy theories is more common now than in the past.
The Phenomenon of Conspiracy Theories: A Look at Persecuted Victims and Nefarious Intentions
On March 30, 2014, I was contacted by a man named Alan Tarica, who stumbled upon my work regarding the psychology of conspiracy theories. He shared with me a website he had created, detailing a vast conspiracy theory that posited Shakespeare’s sonnets were actually written by the Earl of Oxford, and that hidden truths could be uncovered by reading the poems in reverse order. While my colleagues would have dismissed such emails, I was fascinated by what motivates people to believe in such theories.
However, upon researching Tarica, I discovered that he had been harassing and attacking other scholars. In one of his emails to me, he expressed his frustration with the scientific community for ignoring him and his theory, and demanded greater participation from everyone, regardless of their discipline.
This is not an isolated incident. Conspiracy theories often involve individuals who feel marginalized or persecuted, and who believe that there are nefarious intentions behind the lack of attention paid to their beliefs. As such, there are recurring commonalities in the narrative of conspiracy theories.
If we want to understand conspiracy theories and their impact, it is important to examine the underlying psychology and motivations behind them. While the truth may indeed be out there, for some, it is not enough to simply uncover it. Instead, they seek to expose what they believe to be a vast and sinister plot, and to bring those who have ignored or persecuted them to account.
The Language of Conspiracy Theorists: Insights from Latest Research
A recent study conducted by researchers sought to investigate the language used by conspiracy theorists, examining patterns or psycholinguistic features that distinguish them from non-conspiracy theorists. The study analyzed hundreds of thousands of tweets from the most popular conspiracy theorists on Twitter and found that they express more negative emotions, particularly anger, compared to their popular-science counterparts. They also swear and talk more about other groups and power structures.
These findings are reflected in the behavior of conspiracy theorists such as Alan Tarica, who harassed and attacked scholars. The researchers also found that conspiracy theorizing assumes evil or nefarious intentions, and there are virtually no positive conspiracy theories.
Another study analyzed conspiratorial discussion in the blogosphere about a paper on the psychology of conspiracy theories. The researchers identified several recurring themes, which indicated that conspiratorial reasoning has a very predictable signature. This is in line with the findings from the previous study.
To help people identify the conspiracy effect in everyday life, the researchers have created the “seven traits of conspiratorial thinking,” using “CONSPIRE” as an acronym, which stands for Contradictory, Overriding suspicion, Nefarious intent, Something must be wrong, Persecuted victim, Immunity to evidence, and Re-interpreting randomness. By examining the language and recurring themes of conspiracy theories, we can gain insights into the underlying psychology and motivations behind them.
The Conspiracy Effect: How Plandemic’s Narrative Shows the Seven Traits of Conspiratorial Thinking
The now-infamous viral conspiracy theory video “Plandemic: The Hidden Agenda Behind Covid-19” premiered on YouTube on May 4, 2020, and featured an interview with a discredited medical researcher, Judy Mikovits, who advances all sorts of conspiratorial claims about the pandemic. Studies show that exposure to the video damaged public support for vaccination programs. It’s a clear example of the conspiracy effect in action, where even brief exposure to conspiracy theories can harm public debate.
The film exhibits all the classic traits of conspiratorial thinking, which can be summarized using the “CONSPIRE” acronym. First, conspiracy theories are nearly always characterized by internal Contradictions. In the “Plandemic” narrative, the logical inconsistencies emerge quickly, as the film advances two false origin stories at the same time. The first describes Covid-19 as having been bioengineered in a lab in Wuhan, while the second explanation claims that everyone apparently already had the virus from earlier vaccinations and that wearing masks activates it. Which is it? This is clearly Contradictory.
Next, by their very nature, conspiracy theories are deeply wary of the official narrative. An Overriding suspicion is advanced in “Plandemic” that casts doubt on mainstream science and just about anyone who is involved in the official explanation, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Question everything.
But the conspirators in question must also have sinister intentions. Nefarious intent is an explicit theme that characterizes most conspiracy theories and much of “Plandemic”. For example, according to the film, evil scientists, including Anthony Fauci, who leads the White House’s Covid-19 task force, created the pandemic for profit, and by extension, killed hundreds of thousands of people in the process.
When challenged, conspiracy theorists have no problem abandoning specific aspects of their theory, yet Something must be wrong. For example, when the “Plandemic” filmmaker Mikki Willis was asked if he honestly believed that Covid-19 was engineered for profit, he replied: “I have no idea.” All he knows is that something is not right.
Persecuted victimhood is also common in conspiracy theories, and “Plandemic” is no exception. The video portrays Judy Mikovits as a victim of a scientific establishment that suppressed her work and conspired against her.
Lastly, Immunity to evidence and Re-interpreting randomness are also typical traits of conspiratorial thinking. In “Plandemic”, Mikovits dismisses scientific studies and data that contradict her claims and presents anecdotes and isolated cases as evidence. She also reinterprets random events, such as the emergence of Covid-19, as part of a grand conspiracy.
By examining the traits of conspiratorial thinking, we can better understand the underlying psychology and motivations behind conspiracy theories. The danger of conspiracy theories lies not just in their ability to harm public debate, but also in their potential to undermine trust in science and erode the very foundations of our democracy.
Understanding the psychology behind conspiracy theories is essential to combating their impact. A recent study has shown that conspiracy theorists display distinct language patterns, marked by increased anger and swearing, and discussions of power structures and other groups. The seven traits of conspiratorial thinking were then identified as CONSPIRE: contradictory, overriding suspicion, nefarious intent, something must be wrong, persecuted victim, immunity to evidence, and re-interpreting randomness.
These traits can be seen in action in the widely circulated and discredited video, “Plandemic: The Hidden Agenda Behind Covid-19,” which promoted various conspiratorial claims about the pandemic, including the notion that the virus was bioengineered and that wearing masks activates the virus. The video damaged public support for vaccination programs, demonstrating the harmful effects of brief exposure to conspiracy theories.
Conspiracy theories always assume evil or nefarious intentions and almost always feature persecuted victims. They often contradict themselves, and conspiracy theorists are deeply suspicious of official narratives. Conspiracy theorists are also frequently immune to evidence, claiming that conspirators have done an excellent job of covering their tracks. Finally, conspiracy theorists tend to re-interpret random events as substantive, finding patterns that aren’t there.
These traits were identified in a study of the language used in hundreds of thousands of tweets from popular conspiracy theorists on Twitter. The study also found that exposure to conspiracy theories can harm public debate, making it essential to understand the psychology behind conspiracy theories.
If we understand these traits, we can help people spot the conspiracy effect in everyday life. By recognizing the language and patterns that characterize conspiratorial thinking, we can combat the harmful effects of conspiracy theories.
Conspiracy theories have a way of spreading quickly because they offer simple explanations for complex events, providing a sense of control in a chaotic world. The demand for such narratives is increasing, and once the conspiracy effect takes hold, it’s difficult to shake off. It’s dangerous because it can lead to the belief in multiple conspiracy theories, creating an interconnected web of falsehoods.
Studies show that only a small group of highly politically active individuals who spread fake news are responsible for the majority of its dissemination. While conspiracy theories have always existed, there is a growing concern that they are becoming more common, especially in the current global climate. Extremist organizations use conspiratorial narratives to attract new followers, and belief in conspiracy theories has been linked to political violence.
In 2021, more than 20% of those polled in over 20 countries believed that a single group of people control world events. While this information is worrying, it’s challenging to determine whether the belief in conspiracy theories is historically high or low, as there is limited reliable global trend data.
The massive global challenges we face, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, provide fertile ground for conspiracy theories to flourish. It’s crucial to recognize the danger that these narratives pose to democracy and public discourse and to combat them with facts and evidence-based reasoning.
Understanding the Fluctuations of Conspiracy Theories Over Time
The rise and spread of conspiracy theories is not a new phenomenon. According to Joseph Uscinski, Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami, every few years, the media declares another “golden age of conspiracy.” However, historical evidence suggests that conspiracy theories have always existed and have had a profound impact on people’s lives, leading to events such as the persecution of Jews during World War II.
Professor Uscinski’s research suggests that endorsement of conspiracy theories has fluctuated over time. Although some theories have gained support, others have lost credibility or remained relatively stable. However, he also acknowledges that conspiracy theories are more likely to be endorsed by people who are out of political power.
A Gallup poll conducted in 1963, the year of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, found that 52% of people believed that others were involved in the conspiracy. This number rose to 81% in the 1990s, when Oliver Stone’s film JFK was released, before dropping to 61% in 2011. A recent Cambridge-YouGov poll showed that, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, 13% of people in the United States endorsed anti-vaccination conspiracies, which jumped to 33% in 2020 when coverage of the Covid-19 vaccines began.
Why Conspiracy Theories Flourish in Times of Crisis
The rise and spread of conspiracy theories can be attributed to societal and political unrest. During times of crisis or uncertainty, people feel powerless and turn to conspiracy theories for psychological comfort and reassurance. These narratives then become part of history through social and cultural transmission.
The internet and social media have allowed conspiracy theories to flourish, enter the mainstream, and spread in new and unprecedented ways. The global challenges we are facing today provide the perfect breeding ground for conspiracy theories to take root.
In conclusion, conspiracy theories are psychologically attractive to people because they offer simple explanations for complex events and restore a sense of control in a world full of chaos and uncertainty. The endorsement of conspiracy theories fluctuates over time, but they tend to be more prevalent in times of crisis or societal and political unrest. Social media and the internet have facilitated the spread of conspiracy theories, and it is important to be mindful of their potential impact on public opinion and the political climate.
This text is an excerpt from the book Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity by Sander van der Linden, published in 2023 by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
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