The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories

Allowing conspiracies to circulate can have deadly consequences. Five people, including one police officer, died when insurrectionists attempted the coup on the Capitol.

It’s natural and understandable to feel angry, frustrated, or saddened by these events. Experts urge us to take a step back and consider why people believe conspiracy theories and to examine our own vulnerabilities, particularly during uncertain times.

“When people feel threatened and out of control, it’s natural to want to feel more control and bring order to the randomness by resorting to conspiracy theories,” says John Cook, PhD, founder of the website Skeptical Science and co-author of “The Conspiracy Theory Handbook.”

That doesn’t mean we should enable conspiracy theories to continue or that people who break the law in the name of these theories shouldn’t face consequences.

But experts say that by stepping back and evaluating what makes these theories seem plausible to certain people, we can engage in a more productive dialogue.

We can also protect ourselves from engaging in conversations about conspiracy theories at the expense of our mental health.