The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (2020 Rerun)

[Rerun] What is the science behind believing in conspiracy theories? Is it a mental illness? Dr. Kirk and Humberto discuss the research.
May 25, 2020
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[@JulesA5266]

Berto's comment about him being an expert in Dunning-Krueger just had me laughing. Very nicely done, Berto!

[@jmorphiscave]

This one is informative and entertaining.

[@stuartp2006]

27:19 Berto misses the easy joke here. It's a conspiracy by big wheel.

[@jeffking4472]

We can't try to put rational motives behind irrational behavior. There isn't justification for believing in conspiracy theories anymore than there'd be justification for believing 2+2=5. It's just simply irrational. People might talk about conspiracy theories or act on them because they want to be heard, and they don't know an actual answer so they make things up or go with what's completely outlandish, thinking that will make their voice stronger.

[@Ferreneh]

Did you actually listen to this podcast? All these points, like why and how conspiracy theories begin are explained. I agree that believing in conspiracy theories is irrational, but to those people they're totally rational, and they have their own justifications. It's not so simple to say "well they're crazy & believe whatever". There are reasons why they're that way. Just listen to the episode

[@aarondaniel6630]

@@Ferreneh exactly. There are always reasons and explainations as to why someone believes in something. Especially when 70 percent of the theories abiut the govt are right.

[@jeffking4472]

@@Ferreneh I did listen to the podcast. There are times in the podcast where they say similar things to what I'm saying, for instance when they are talking about similarities in narcissism and conspiracty theorists. There are times where they also justify a belief in conspiracy theories. At the base of a conspiracy theory is just someone choosing an outlandish idea over putting in the effort to keep themselves in check. It's interesting to see why someone would do that, but it doesn't have to be a fancy answer. It can just be something as simple as saying they didn't want to go the less rewarding, harder to understand approach of reality. A fantastical story is just more exciting and if it were true it would be more rewarding. Take a look at Arron Daniel's response as an example. Throwing out a made up percentage that keeps things mysterious is easy and exciting. Much easier than saying government is filled with thousands of people from the general population who sometimes have bad intentions but probably mostly have good intentions. That's just far less exciting and would be harder to explain the nuances of what we know vs what we don't.

[@Mimi-xs7gi]

Thank you for this explanation

[@stuartp2006]

1:28:00 Alternate hypothesis, our society is built around selling ourselves. You want to get a job, you want connections, you have to talk yourself up, to the point where not know how much you don't know butts against wanting to seem like you'd be useful in some such situation. Especially if it's a topic if everyone knows almost nothing about.

[@Ferreneh]

Wow this gave so much more perspective on why my mom always has this theory that one day Russia is going to invade border nation Finland (where we live). There's always news about what Russia is up to so a lot of people here have reasonable fear. I on the other hand don't have fear. Maybe because I go to uni & professors there have very valid points to why that's not likely. Also like you said in this episode, conspiracy theories are formed because of fear (of the unknown) & personal emotions. My mom was forced to move to Finland. So it makes sense that she now has trauma. To me it seems so weird that she's so easily influenced by fear mongering on the news and always says us kids should have our American passports ready at all times if we need to escape war or something. Since the war in Ukraine started, my mom has again resurfaced the idea that we should renew our passports and keeps talking about possible bombs being dropped at our home and what not. I always have to tell her "no mom, Russia isn't going to invade, the sky won't fall on us..." etc

[@nseriously2704]

I luv conspiracy theories) so entertaining!

[@carmenbarnes2709]

No a conspiracy if it's the truth....it's simply the truth...the government came up with the word conspiracy because they have been intangled in a lot of questionable behavior

[@fionastherapyroom9364]

The lab leak theory actually holds weight. It probably leaked due to negligence though as opposed to intentional or as a bio weapon .

[@aarondaniel6630]

Definitley negligence then tried to cover their asses instrad of judt owning up to it

[@hope.0oo]

It’s crazy how in 2020 it was a crazy conspiracy, and yesterday the Energy department concluded that a lab leak was the most likely origin of the pandemic.

[@BillieDixonProductions]

Moreover, I'm blacklisted and targeted in Snohomish/King counties in Seattle. And I hope that one day, those in psychology start to believe those that are targeted before so many of us targets lose their lives.

[@tmtb80]

MKUltra. Operation Paperclip.

[@jasontreadway8015]

" Why would they lie" is easy to answer. You never bother to entertain the question, because you dont care about the answer.

[@HieuTran-pw9ck]

I want to hear your answer

[@erikavaleries]

What is the mark of the beast?

[@NoExitLoveNow]

Google is your friend.

[@nobody8328]

It's a phrase in revelations that people use to justify everything from racism to fear of vaccines.

[@necoragha65]

I guess a progressive liberal would be a socialist in my country. 🇧🇪

[@CHK12319]

Conspiracy theorists got a lot more correct in 2020 than the “experts.”

[@aarondaniel6630]

Exactly

[@Hydrosized]

No