Conspiracy theories have always circulated throughout various media, from Flat Earth theories, to claims that the moon landing was Hollywood magic, to the idea that Elvis is still alive and singing rock ‘n’ roll from an underground bunker.
However, since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, many of these conspiracy theories have gone from borderline harmless to fuelling stigmatization and fear-mongering in otherwise reasonable people.
This begs the question: Why are these conspiracy theories so convincing? To answer this question, we’ll touch on three reasons why conspiracy theories are so convincing and discuss how we can protect ourselves from these pitfalls.
Why conspiracy theories are convincing
The desire for order and understanding
Part of what makes conspiracy theories so appealing is that they can help bring order during uncertain or stressful periods in our lives. When someone claims to not only know the answer to the question “Why?” but also names a supposed villain pulling the strings, it can be very attractive to simply believe. Blind belief, though, however comforting it can seem, can lead to harmful consequences.
We can help protect ourselves from this psychological pitfall by first understanding that the desire for things to make sense is perfectly natural, but it shouldn’t drive us to unreasonableness. Then, we need to avoid relying on a single source or the testimony of one group when trying to understand something.
The former can help keep us from “running away” with the first explanation we find, while the latter is, in general, a good practice when trying to learn more about a topic or acquire a new skill.
Agency and control
The desire for agency and control in our lives is universal. When something uncontrollable and unpredictable takes our hands off the wheel (such as a global pandemic or the loss of one’s job), we tend to feel lost and anxious. Conspiracy theories can take advantage of this feeling by offering a convenient explanation for why we’ve lost control.
Whether by implicating a specific individual or group or making reference to circumstantial evidence, conspiracy theories give their adherents something to rail against. Once a target or cause is acquired, people can feel more in control of their lives by virtue of fighting against whatever they believe to be taking away their agency.
As with our desire for order and understanding, the need for agency and control is perfectly natural, but should not drive us to be unreasonable. We need to practice patience and listen to all sides of a story, and if we still cannot find a way to wrest back control, accept that if nothing can be done about whatever is, the only option is to move forward.
Belonging and self-esteem
Self-esteem, one’s subjective sense of self-worth, is something we always seek to maintain, and for good reason. Low self-esteem is associated with a multitude of mental and physical health issues. It comes as no surprise that, when someone’s self-esteem is compromised, they can readily turn to alternative explanations for reaffirmation.
This is where conspiracy theories swoop in. It is much easier to believe that interference from a nefarious third party is the cause for one’s persistent brain fog or inability to stay on the wagon than to accept that one has a problem and face it head-on.
What’s more, when someone believes in a conspiracy theory, oftentimes, they’ll often seek out others with similar beliefs for validation. While this can offer reaffirmation and help improve self-esteem, it can also trap us in what amounts to a ‘conspiracy theory sound chamber.’
Healthy skepticism
It’s a difficult thing to try and stop this from happening. Life will never be kind all the time, and conspiracy theories, however outlandish they seem, can offer a reprieve for those who need it. All we can hope to do is:
- Recognize when we’ve become a part of a community that doesn’t listen
- Acknowledge outside opinions or statements
- Try to be as critical as possible when evaluating new information
The need for order, understanding, agency and positive self-esteem are all natural desires that should never be denied. However, satisfying these needs should not drive us to unreasonableness. Wait, watch, listen and try to acknowledge all sides of a story or issue before choosing who or what to put faith in.
While healthy skepticism can, unfortunately, lead to the formation of conspiracy theories, it should always remain just that—healthy skepticism—and should not mean that we refuse to listen to others.
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