Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?

[admin]

Even when there is substantial evidence to the contrary, the allure of conspiracy theories may be too powerful for some to resist.

Why do people believe in conspiracy theories? : Read more

 

[richjewett]

I'm generally a bit frustrated by articles like this because they focus on things like the ways we take in and comprehend information. While that's important, I'm more interested in the developmental aspects, for the conspiracy people I know seem to represent an odd form of autism on at least two accounts: their inability to clearly take in the world around them, and their fear of this world which they can only understand through their chronic anxiety, suspicion, and distrust, which they take to be "Reality." At the heart of it, this is generally a developmental failure, meaning that a part of their psyches are functionally underdeveloped.

 

[richjewett]

In concert with conspiracy notions, we see an increase in violence largely stemming from too many people's inability to tolerate being asked to comply with reasonable rules, assumption that they are being controlled and/or dictated to, inability to accept differences be they religious, racial, political, etc. No matter the superficial dynamics, the violence combined with blind followership seems an indicator of systemic underdevelopment (psychologically speaking) in our culture. In short, we're left wondering if we, as a nation (the US) aren't becoming a less and less healthy culture.

 

[Hayseed]

Conspiring with another is a very strong human characteristic. We learn it when we are young against authority. It creates a bond(collective guilt), and it's fun and exciting because is has punishment if found out. And builds confidence when one gets away with it. Risk and going out of bounds can be a lifter. And a false starter conspiracy can sort loyalty and true believers.

Conspiring is not only enjoyable, but a crafty test of character....or lack of.

This world and the rulers of it do and have conspired all the time. An old tool.

Organizations have people. People have faults. When a member does something embarrassing, the group will color it, to preserve the organization. This is human nature. And it always starts out small. BUT, the more it works, the more it is used....even in an offensive manner.

Preserving the organization becomes more important than the original goal of the organization. It's human nature. Reputation is more sacred than the goal.

 

[richjewett]

Yes, conspiring is part of human nature, but blindly believing in knee-jerk fashion to the things going around these days speak of an underlying weakness in people's psyches, often with the level of misunderstanding and obstreperousness we would consider normal in children.