A recent study conducted by researchers at Emory University has shed light on why some individuals are more susceptible to believing in conspiracy theories. The study, published in the Psychological Bulletin, analyzed 170 studies with over 158,000 participants to examine the relationship between personality traits, motivation, and belief in conspiracy theories. The results showed that individuals who are manipulative, paranoid, and withdrawn are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. Additionally, those who feel socially threatened or have uncertainties in their own lives are also more susceptible to believing in conspiracy theories.
The study also found that individuals who believe in conspiracy theories are not necessarily simple-minded or mentally unstable, as is often portrayed in popular culture. Rather, they may turn to conspiracy theories to satisfy suppressed motivations and explain feelings of distress. Furthermore, individuals who seek easy explanations for a complex world and desire a sense of superiority over others are particularly vulnerable to abstract conspiracy theories about the functioning of the world.
The study’s lead author, Shauna Bowes, emphasizes the need for future research to focus on the complexity of conspiratorial thinking. By analyzing the connections between conspiracy theories, motivation, and individual personality traits, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological factors that contribute to belief in conspiracy theories.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding the underlying motivations and personality traits that make individuals susceptible to conspiracy theories. By doing so, researchers can develop strategies to combat the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories in society.
