Friday, March 29, 2024
39.0°F

Why some fall for conspiracies

| February 2, 2021 1:00 AM

What makes some people more prone to believe outlandish conspiracy theories? Why do they stick to it like glue, no matter the volume of opposing facts?

Explanations from psychologists and mental health experts who’ve deconstructed the QAnon mindset suggest compassion is in order. Feelings of insecurity, it seems, are at the heart of it.

The publicized core belief of QAnon (variations and adaptability to other paranoias notwithstanding) is a government-centered Satanic, child-trafficking cartel led by Hollywood and Democrats, with the mainstream media as their handmaidens. They look forward to a “Great Awakening” when all of this would be exposed, with violence if need be.

Psychiatrist and clinical professor Joseph Pierre writes about conspiracy theories. Combining a series of his articles in 2019 and 2020 issues of Psychology Today, he explains why certain people are more attracted to them:

1. They’re addicted to firm answers. Studies have found conspiracy theorists need more “cognitive closure” than does the average person, and are less comfortable with complicated or elusive explanations for what troubles them (Marchlewska 2018).

2. They need to feel special. Believing they know something the rest of us don’t, that their keen awareness unveiled secrets to which the masses are blind, feeds a deficiency in self-image (Muller 2017).

3. They tend toward bias. Conspiracists tend to have a cognitive bias called hypersensitive agency detection — explaining things in terms of how they come out, instead of how they came about. Looking at a scenario, they see intention more than circumstance (Douglas 2016).

Knowledge comes by gathering data and discovering a conclusion; bias is looking for data that confirms a conclusion.

4. Their need for control is primary. Conspiracy theories, especially dark ones during challenging times, offer attention-getting explanations. That can provide a feeling of security when people feel no control over a situation they’re unhappy with.

5. Conspiracies plus cultism attracts the depressed and anxious. While QAnon itself is not a religious cult, Pierre says it and other American conspiracy theory groups are resembling them more: An expected epic clash between good and evil. Cult-like following of their leaders, who can do no wrong. Aligning only with like minds, and demonizing Other. Prepared to die for the cause.

In a way, conspiracy cults are like a live-action role-playing game. But it’s no joke; research on cults links anxiety and depression with its members, who are often looking for emotional and group affiliation (Rousselet 2017, among others).

Without replacing the conspiracy theory with something that fills such needs, say mental health experts, conspiracists are unlikely to let go, no matter how irrational the beliefs may seem. Letting them go may represent significant personal loss. It could mean exiting a community, feeling more alone — at least inside.

While it must feel terrifying to believe in their version of the world, they don’t want to be “saved.”

That’s why Pierre urges compassion when dealing with conspiracy theorists, especially if it’s someone you care about. Not ridiculing their beliefs, but perhaps pointing out where they may be interfering with life.

For example, much of QAnon is online and too much internet time can interfere with work and relationships, with real life. Focusing on other bonds, human connection and conversations (not about politics) may help fulfill those needs and could eventually help them refocus, says Pierre.

That’s assuming the voluminous sources of debunking data don’t work (search “debunk QAnon” for thousands of hits, from both sides of the political spectrum).


Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who tends to see the imperfect world as mostly balanced. Perhaps that too is a bias. Sholeh@cdapress.com.