How the Quest for Significance Fuels Conspiracy Beliefs
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Summary: A deep psychological need to feel significant drives much of human behavior, and can also lead people toward conspiracy theories and extremist beliefs. Drawing from decades of research and real-world examples, experts explain how feelings of insignificance, especially in uncertain times, make people more susceptible to narratives that promise belonging, identity, and a sense of control.
Conspiracy theories often offer a seductive appeal: they make people feel special, “in the know,” and provide a clear villain to blame for their suffering. The analysis argues that self-awareness is critical in avoiding these traps, urging individuals to understand their personal motivations and emotional triggers.
- Need to Matter: The desire for personal significance can drive both healthy and harmful behavior.
- Conspiracy Appeal: These narratives offer identity, meaning, and a sense of being “chosen.”
Self-Awareness Is Key:
While all people are innately driven to find meaning in their lives, this subconscious desire pulls some people to conspiracy theories and dangerous belief systems.
After an extensive review of psychological research, renowned social psychologist Arie Kruglanski and journalist Dan Raviv show how people’s need for ‘significance’ propels our actions, governs our feelings, and dominates our thoughts in their new book The Quest for Significance.
Content retrieved from: https://neurosciencenews.com/conspiracy-significance-psychology-28716/.
