90% of Americans believe at least one conspiracy theory (3 Viewers)
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Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people think could be more important.
Scientists agree that having a measure of skepticism about official accounts of events is healthy and important, but conspiracy theorizing can lead to dangerous consequences for the individual and for society.
Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory. However, some beliefs are more widespread. A 2018 survey of people from around Europe found 60% of British participants endorsed at least one conspiracy theory. So, who are the people who are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing?
There is a dramatically growing body of research endeavoring to understand this question. First, let's re-examine those assumptions about who engages with conspiracy theories.
People with high education levels, such as doctors and nurses, have been reported to propagate conspiracy theories. So it's not just about intelligence—education won't necessarily make you immune.
Research shows that our thinking style can be predictive of susceptibility to conspiracy theories. The dual processing theory of cognitive style suggests that we have two routes which we can use to process information.
One route is the fast, intuitive route which leans more on personal experiences and gut feelings. The other route is a slower, more analytical route which instead relies on elaborative and detailed processing of information.
What you tend to see is that people who are not necessarily smarter but who favor the more effortful, analytical thinking style are more resistant to conspiracy beliefs. For example, a British 2014 study found that those who scored highly for questions such as "I enjoy problems that require hard thinking" were less likely to accept conspiracy beliefs. It also found those who were less likely to engage in effortful thinking styles and more likely to use intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories.
Similarly, a 2022 study across 45 countries used a cognitive reflection test, which measured engagement in analytical thinking in three questions. It found that participants who engaged in the labor-intensive thinking style were less likely to endorse COVID 19 conspiracy theories.
Critical thinking is a valuable skill, particularly within education, and has been shown to buffer susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. This is probably because this more arduous thinking style allows people time to identify inconsistencies in theories and look to additional resources to verify information.
Research shows that belief in conspiracy theories is predicted by cognitive biases that come from a reliance on mental shortcuts when processing information. First, conspiracy beliefs seem to be predicted by the flawed belief that big events must have big consequences.............
phys.org
Scientists agree that having a measure of skepticism about official accounts of events is healthy and important, but conspiracy theorizing can lead to dangerous consequences for the individual and for society.
Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory. However, some beliefs are more widespread. A 2018 survey of people from around Europe found 60% of British participants endorsed at least one conspiracy theory. So, who are the people who are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing?
There is a dramatically growing body of research endeavoring to understand this question. First, let's re-examine those assumptions about who engages with conspiracy theories.
People with high education levels, such as doctors and nurses, have been reported to propagate conspiracy theories. So it's not just about intelligence—education won't necessarily make you immune.
Research shows that our thinking style can be predictive of susceptibility to conspiracy theories. The dual processing theory of cognitive style suggests that we have two routes which we can use to process information.
One route is the fast, intuitive route which leans more on personal experiences and gut feelings. The other route is a slower, more analytical route which instead relies on elaborative and detailed processing of information.
What you tend to see is that people who are not necessarily smarter but who favor the more effortful, analytical thinking style are more resistant to conspiracy beliefs. For example, a British 2014 study found that those who scored highly for questions such as "I enjoy problems that require hard thinking" were less likely to accept conspiracy beliefs. It also found those who were less likely to engage in effortful thinking styles and more likely to use intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories.
Similarly, a 2022 study across 45 countries used a cognitive reflection test, which measured engagement in analytical thinking in three questions. It found that participants who engaged in the labor-intensive thinking style were less likely to endorse COVID 19 conspiracy theories.
Critical thinking is a valuable skill, particularly within education, and has been shown to buffer susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. This is probably because this more arduous thinking style allows people time to identify inconsistencies in theories and look to additional resources to verify information.
Thinking style is not the same as intelligence
A 2021 meta-analysis study indicates that an intuitive thinking style is unrelated to intelligence. So, even really smart people could be susceptible to conspiracy beliefs—if they are more inclined to revert to faster, intuitive thinking styles.Research shows that belief in conspiracy theories is predicted by cognitive biases that come from a reliance on mental shortcuts when processing information. First, conspiracy beliefs seem to be predicted by the flawed belief that big events must have big consequences.............
Intelligence doesn't make you immune to conspiracy theories—it's more about thinking style, says researcher
Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people...
Online
Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people think could be more important.
Scientists agree that having a measure of skepticism about official accounts of events is healthy and important, but conspiracy theorizing can lead to dangerous consequences for the individual and for society.
Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory. However, some beliefs are more widespread. A 2018 survey of people from around Europe found 60% of British participants endorsed at least one conspiracy theory. So, who are the people who are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing?
There is a dramatically growing body of research endeavoring to understand this question. First, let's re-examine those assumptions about who engages with conspiracy theories.
People with high education levels, such as doctors and nurses, have been reported to propagate conspiracy theories. So it's not just about intelligence—education won't necessarily make you immune.
Research shows that our thinking style can be predictive of susceptibility to conspiracy theories. The dual processing theory of cognitive style suggests that we have two routes which we can use to process information.
One route is the fast, intuitive route which leans more on personal experiences and gut feelings. The other route is a slower, more analytical route which instead relies on elaborative and detailed processing of information.
What you tend to see is that people who are not necessarily smarter but who favor the more effortful, analytical thinking style are more resistant to conspiracy beliefs. For example, a British 2014 study found that those who scored highly for questions such as "I enjoy problems that require hard thinking" were less likely to accept conspiracy beliefs. It also found those who were less likely to engage in effortful thinking styles and more likely to use intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories.
Similarly, a 2022 study across 45 countries used a cognitive reflection test, which measured engagement in analytical thinking in three questions. It found that participants who engaged in the labor-intensive thinking style were less likely to endorse COVID 19 conspiracy theories.
Critical thinking is a valuable skill, particularly within education, and has been shown to buffer susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. This is probably because this more arduous thinking style allows people time to identify inconsistencies in theories and look to additional resources to verify information.
Thinking style is not the same as intelligence
A 2021 meta-analysis study indicates that an intuitive thinking style is unrelated to intelligence. So, even really smart people could be susceptible to conspiracy beliefs—if they are more inclined to revert to faster, intuitive thinking styles.
Research shows that belief in conspiracy theories is predicted by cognitive biases that come from a reliance on mental shortcuts when processing information. First, conspiracy beliefs seem to be predicted by the flawed belief that big events must have big consequences.............
Intelligence doesn't make you immune to conspiracy theories—it's more about thinking style, says researcher
Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people...
I don't think intelligence accounts for the desire to believe in something, or even to belong to a group, and the feeling of desire can be irrational.
OP
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that doesn't explain the appeal of choosing to believe in something that 90%+ don't and will tell you that you're a moron for believing it
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Sometimes the people who are shun by the 90%+ form groups.
Some time ago I saw a documentary about flat Earthers. One of the more common characteristics among them was that they were loners, shun by others, bullied in school... I am willing to bet, a number of them don't even believe the Earth is flat, but they just enjoy the camaraderie and being able to belong to a group that treats them like they matter.
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that's probably how it starts, but once they get sucked into it, they start to believe what they are reading/hearing. they may not believe it at first, but going down a rabbit hole is real.
OP
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That does make some sense but I think there still has to be more to it than that
No matter what random, obscure thing you’re into, other people are into it too
And ever since the internet became a thing there’s probably several websites and Facebook groups for it
Fans of Finnish funk music? There’s a group for that
People who perform Shakespeare in Klingon? There’s a group for that
Collectors of beer cans from the 1980s? There’s an annual convention
People who think ears are sexy? More than you’d think
There’s community and camaraderie to be found no matter what you’re looking for
That still doesn’t explain why conspiracy theories are what some people are looking for
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TruthinessOver the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people think could be more important.
Scientists agree that having a measure of skepticism about official accounts of events is healthy and important, but conspiracy theorizing can lead to dangerous consequences for the individual and for society.
Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory. However, some beliefs are more widespread. A 2018 survey of people from around Europe found 60% of British participants endorsed at least one conspiracy theory. So, who are the people who are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing?
There is a dramatically growing body of research endeavoring to understand this question. First, let's re-examine those assumptions about who engages with conspiracy theories.
People with high education levels, such as doctors and nurses, have been reported to propagate conspiracy theories. So it's not just about intelligence—education won't necessarily make you immune.
Research shows that our thinking style can be predictive of susceptibility to conspiracy theories. The dual processing theory of cognitive style suggests that we have two routes which we can use to process information.
One route is the fast, intuitive route which leans more on personal experiences and gut feelings. The other route is a slower, more analytical route which instead relies on elaborative and detailed processing of information.
What you tend to see is that people who are not necessarily smarter but who favor the more effortful, analytical thinking style are more resistant to conspiracy beliefs. For example, a British 2014 study found that those who scored highly for questions such as "I enjoy problems that require hard thinking" were less likely to accept conspiracy beliefs. It also found those who were less likely to engage in effortful thinking styles and more likely to use intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories.
Similarly, a 2022 study across 45 countries used a cognitive reflection test, which measured engagement in analytical thinking in three questions. It found that participants who engaged in the labor-intensive thinking style were less likely to endorse COVID 19 conspiracy theories.
Critical thinking is a valuable skill, particularly within education, and has been shown to buffer susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. This is probably because this more arduous thinking style allows people time to identify inconsistencies in theories and look to additional resources to verify information.
Thinking style is not the same as intelligence
A 2021 meta-analysis study indicates that an intuitive thinking style is unrelated to intelligence. So, even really smart people could be susceptible to conspiracy beliefs—if they are more inclined to revert to faster, intuitive thinking styles.
Research shows that belief in conspiracy theories is predicted by cognitive biases that come from a reliance on mental shortcuts when processing information. First, conspiracy beliefs seem to be predicted by the flawed belief that big events must have big consequences.............
Intelligence doesn't make you immune to conspiracy theories—it's more about thinking style, says researcher
Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspiracy theories and people who believe in them. Although, some may think belief in such stories is linked to intelligence, research is beginning to show that how people...
Sailorsaint
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A lot of it has to do with distrust in the government. If you believe everything “the man” says is a lie, it’s easy to believe everything is the opposite. Earth? Flat. Space? Fake. Moon landing? Faked. Gravity? Just a “theory”.
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Sure, you can find groups for anything... .it just happens that conspiracy theories groups are out there too.
I don't think it comes as a surprise to you that I argue a lot with religious people
To me, it is no different; people want to believe, or it is beneficial to them to be part of the group that believes, and deny evolution, or believe the Earth is 6,000 years old, no matter the overwhelming amount of evidence/proof in front of them... And conspiracies have a leg up on religions, since various conspiracies have been proven to be true, and some of them nefarious, like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in the U.S., the Halconazo that culminated with the student massacre in Tlatelolco MX in 1968, or even the Nazi extermination of Jews...
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Sure. But speaking from personal experience, I used to go to church because my wife wanted us to go; she's a believer... so I went as a matter of convenience, for my wife, and very much integrated into that community. Yet, I went in a non-believer, I went out a non-believer, as I had no desire to believe.
And no matter what it is, being religions, plot assassinations, moon landings, human experiments, flat Earth, Deep State, etc... there is a point when the desire or even need to believe irrationally trumps intelligence.
Nisey55
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My thoughts are very oversimplified on the matter but I believe that a major downgrade in common sense and independent thinking has led to people latching on to wild theories.
People simply can't think for themselves and will devour anything thrown their way. The internet has made it too easy for some people to believe literally anything they read.
People simply can't think for themselves and will devour anything thrown their way. The internet has made it too easy for some people to believe literally anything they read.
Sailorsaint
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I believe you.
Nisey55
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OP
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Actor Terrance Howard shared a number of eyebrow-raising beliefs on an off-the-rails episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast, claiming he can kill gravity and attempting to debunk the Pythagorean Theorem.
Howard, who has starred in Crash, Empire and Iron Man, insisted on a Sunday episode of the Joe Rogan Experience that he could “rebuild Saturn without gravity” and said he simply doesn’t believe in the number zero.
“We’re about to kill gravity. We’re about to kill their God, gravity, and they don’t want that,” Howard told Rogan, showing him a video of how “linchpins” can rid Saturn of gravity.
“And it has the rings with no animation. It has the rings and the hexagon that’s observed at the very top of it without dark matter, without dark energy, without gravity, showing that it’s an outward, inward, outward force pushing down that creates the planet.”
Rogan appeared intrigued on the episode, which is available on YouTube, and continued to ask Howard questions about his conspiracy theories.
“If you’re right, so many people are wrong,” Rogan said.
Howard replied: “Everyone is wrong. The universe backs me up,” he said. “You have all of these physicists saying something different but none of them have 97 patents. None of them have introduced a new form of flight.” The actor claimed that a patent he owned at one point was the foundation of virtual reality technology.
He also said that the issue with the Pythagorean Theorem is that ancient mathematicians believed the world was flat.
Howard then took the conversation in a different — but no less weird — direction, telling Rogan that he even remembers the day he was born.……..
Howard has held some of his outlandish beliefs for quite some time. He’s previously said that he studied engineering at Pratt University but dropped out of the institution after getting into an argument with a professor about what one times one equals.
“If one times one equals one that means that two is of no value because one times itself has no effect,” he said at the time. “One times one equals two because the square root of four is two, so what’s the square root of two? Should be one, but we’re told it’s two, and that cannot be.”.........
Actor Terrence Howard claims he can ‘kill gravity’ on Joe Rogan’s show
The actor also said he remembers the day he was bornwww.independent.co.uk
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