The Surprising Reason Conspiracies Draw People In, According to Science
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Agrowing body of research suggests that people are drawn into conspiracy theories not because they are gullible or irrational, but because of a powerful social force: community.
A new five-year ethnographic study by researchers from the University of Bath and Trinity College Dublin found that conspiracy communities are often a vibrant, participatory subculture that offers emotional support, shared identity and even activism.
The study, published in the journal Sociology, followed people as they became increasingly engaged in conspiracy theory communities.
Researchers joined online forums, attended public meetings and protests, and conducted dozens of interviews to understand the processes that shape participation in these movements.
The findings suggest that the path to belief is often deeply social, beginning with emotional disruption and culminating in collective action.
Why It Matters
For decades, conspiracy theorists have been portrayed in media and academic literature as angry, irrational loners disconnected from mainstream society.
The new research suggests that these depictions are not only inaccurate but potentially counterproductive in understanding and addressing the appeal of conspiracy beliefs.
Dr. Tim Hill, co-author and associate professor at the University of Bath’s School of Management, said it’s important to understand what inspires conspiracy enthusiasts.
“Our inspiration was to understand how people come to believe in things that are fanciful and untrue, despite often having their hearts in the right place,” Hill told Newsweek.
Content retrieved from: https://www.newsweek.com/surprising-reason-conspiracies-draw-people-according-science-2118906.
