Why some people believe in conspiracies and others don't: a new study by psychologists

Psychologists have identified key personality traits that increase a person's tendency to believe in conspiracy theories. A new study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology found that conspiracy thinking is most often associated with an acute sense of injustice and a low tolerance for uncertainty.

The authors of the paper note that in the era of social media and online platforms, conspiracy theories are no longer a marginal phenomenon and are increasingly influencing public debate and political decisions. At the same time, facts and scientific data are not always able to convince the proponents of such views.

What the researchers studied

At the centre of the study was the idea of the "hidden truth" - the belief that governments, corporations or other entities deliberately withhold important information from the public. Researchers surveyed 253 people from several countries, asking them to evaluate statements like "politicians rarely talk about the real motives behind their decisions" or "government agencies are constantly spying on citizens."

The researchers then analysed 14 factors - ranging from age and gender to personality characteristics - to see which ones were associated with conspiracy thinking. In the end, three key factors were identified as explaining nearly 20 per cent of the propensity to believe in conspiracy theories.

Intolerance for uncertainty

The first factor is a low tolerance for uncertainty. People with this trait find it difficult to accept ambiguous situations and "grey areas". They experience anxiety when events do not have a simple and understandable explanation.

Conspiracy theories, according to the authors of the study, offer the illusion of clarity: complex and chaotic processes are reduced to simple schemes with a clear division into "guilty" and "victims".

A keen sense of injustice

The second important factor is sensitivity to injustice. People who are convinced that the world is unfair and someone is "pulling the strings" are more inclined to explain what is happening by secret conspiracies. For them, the idea of hidden control is psychologically more acceptable than recognising the complexity and randomness of the real world.

Who is even more likely to believe in conspiracies

The study also found that more pronounced conspiracy thinking is more common:

• in young adults;

• in respondents with a high degree of religiosity.

At the same time, the authors emphasise that the study sample was limited: most participants were people with higher education and professional experience.

How to combat the spread of conspiracy theories

According to the researchers, simply refuting myths with facts is often ineffective. A more effective approach may be to work with the feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and a sense of helplessness that underlie such beliefs.

Researchers believe that understanding the psychological reasons for belief in conspiracies can help develop more effective communication and education strategies.