Psychology of the Conspiracy Theorist

[SAYIT]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

 

[GuyPinestra]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

You guys really have a problem with people who don't believe that our government is acting in our best interests, don't you? Even when our government proves OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN that they couldn't fucking care less about us 'little people', and that more often than we would like to believe actually acts in ways that are contrary to our personal, physical and national well-being.

I'm old enough to remember when the info on Operation Northwoods was first coming to light, and the cries of "Conspiracy Theorist!!' rained down with scorn on anyone who would even mention the words. 50 years later the entire thing is out in the open, and the 'theory' has been proven as 'fact'.

Like the old saw goes, "It's not paranoia if they really ARE after you."

 

[eots]

Have you ever noticed the same people are prone to conspiracy theories?

Over and over and over again?

No matter how whacky or ridiculous, they'll believe it.

There's a reason.

They're stupid!

But there's also another reason.

There are psychological explanations for why conspiracy theories are so seductive. Academics who study them argue that they meet a basic human need: to have the magnitude of any given effect be balanced by the magnitude of the cause behind it. A world in which tiny causes can have huge consequences feels scary and unreliable. Therefore a grand disaster like Sept. 11 needs a grand conspiracy behind it. "We tend to associate major events--a President or princess dying--with major causes," says Patrick Leman, a lecturer in psychology at Royal Holloway University of London, who has conducted studies on conspiracy belief. "If we think big events like a President being assassinated can happen at the hands of a minor individual, that points to the unpredictability and randomness of life and unsettles us." In that sense, the idea that there is a malevolent controlling force orchestrating global events is, in a perverse way, comforting.

Why the 9/11 Conspiracy Theories Won't Go Away -- Printout -- TIME

riiiight..so what conspiracy do you speak of ? is it your moronic belief that the presidential assassination of Kennedy happened as you where told or that building 7 collapsed in secs because of the failure of a single column from fire?

 

[eots]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

this makes no sense there is no reason given as to why anyone would find it more comforting or give them a sense of control or make life seem more predictable..if Oswald was just a patsy or explosives where utilized in the wtc attacks ??..how dose that possible make life more predictable ?? or give anyone a sense of control ??...this piece is pure propaganda nonsense

 

[GuyPinestra]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

this makes no sense there is no reason given as to why anyone would find it more comforting or give them a sense of control or make life seem more predictable..if Oswald was just a patsy or explosives where utilized in the wtc attacks ??..how dose that possible make life more predictable ?? or give anyone a sense of control ??...this piece is pure propaganda nonsense

Why do you think it is still 'unpublished'?

 

[Toro]

Have you ever noticed the same people are prone to conspiracy theories?

Over and over and over again?

No matter how whacky or ridiculous, they'll believe it.

There's a reason.

They're stupid!

But there's also another reason.

There are psychological explanations for why conspiracy theories are so seductive. Academics who study them argue that they meet a basic human need: to have the magnitude of any given effect be balanced by the magnitude of the cause behind it. A world in which tiny causes can have huge consequences feels scary and unreliable. Therefore a grand disaster like Sept. 11 needs a grand conspiracy behind it. "We tend to associate major events--a President or princess dying--with major causes," says Patrick Leman, a lecturer in psychology at Royal Holloway University of London, who has conducted studies on conspiracy belief. "If we think big events like a President being assassinated can happen at the hands of a minor individual, that points to the unpredictability and randomness of life and unsettles us." In that sense, the idea that there is a malevolent controlling force orchestrating global events is, in a perverse way, comforting.

Why the 9/11 Conspiracy Theories Won't Go Away -- Printout -- TIME

riiiight..so what conspiracy do you speak of ? is it your moronic belief that the presidential assassination of Kennedy happened as you where told or that building 7 collapsed in secs because of the failure of a single column from fire?

Hey, aren't you a 49ers fan?

Aren't you in a dilemma with the Seahawks so good?

 

[PredFan]

They left out the other completely looney tunes theory that man never did walk on the moon.

Did they include the goofy "chemtrails" conspiracy?

lol, I didn't see that either.

 

[uscitizen]

Does this link into the left wing right wing brain differences?

 

[SAYIT]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

You guys really have a problem with people who don't believe that our government is acting in our best interests, don't you? Even when our government proves OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN that they couldn't fucking care less about us 'little people', and that more often than we would like to believe actually acts in ways that are contrary to our personal, physical and national well-being.

I'm old enough to remember when the info on Operation Northwoods was first coming to light, and the cries of "Conspiracy Theorist!!' rained down with scorn on anyone who would even mention the words. 50 years later the entire thing is out in the open, and the 'theory' has been proven as 'fact'.

Like the old saw goes, "It's not paranoia if they really ARE after you."

I can speak only for me but I wear no rose-collored glasses. Sometimes bad peeps get into postitions of authority because democracy isn't perfect. Sometimes good peeps in those positions made poor decisions. Sometimes well-intentioned plans have unforeseen outcomes. These are facts of life in America.
My problem, in this case, is with people who believe our gov't only does evil ... that we only elect evil peeps or that they morph into evil reptiles once elected. There are plenty of things that go right but none of them seem to register on your radar because you are convinced our gov't only does evil. Reread the OP in this thread. I noted that conspiracies are a fact of life but not everything is conspiracy driven and our gov't does not only do evil.

 

[GuyPinestra]

It seems conspiracy theorists are so wedded to obtuse thinking they even subscribe to conspiracy theories that don't exist:

A related, unpublished survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that 9/11 conspiracy believers not only often subscribed to a variety of well-known conspiracy theories, but also frequently agreed with an invented conspiracy. Christopher French of Goldsmiths, University of London, and Patrick Leman of Royal Holloway, University of London, both psychologists, asked volunteers about eight common conspiracy theories and one that researchers made up: “The government is using mobile phone technology to track everyone all the time.”

The study, still unpublished, shows that conspiracy believers displayed a greater propensity than nonbelievers to jump to conclusions based on limited evidence.

“It seems likely that conspiratorial beliefs serve a similar psychological function to superstitious, paranormal and, more controversially, religious beliefs, as they help some people to gain a sense of control over an unpredictable world,” French says.



The Inner Worlds of Conspiracy Believers - US News and World Report

You guys really have a problem with people who don't believe that our government is acting in our best interests, don't you? Even when our government proves OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN that they couldn't fucking care less about us 'little people', and that more often than we would like to believe actually acts in ways that are contrary to our personal, physical and national well-being.

I'm old enough to remember when the info on Operation Northwoods was first coming to light, and the cries of "Conspiracy Theorist!!' rained down with scorn on anyone who would even mention the words. 50 years later the entire thing is out in the open, and the 'theory' has been proven as 'fact'.

Like the old saw goes, "It's not paranoia if they really ARE after you."

I can speak only for me but I wear no rose-collored glasses. Sometimes bad peeps get into postitions of authority because democracy isn't perfect. Sometimes good peeps in those positions made poor decisions. Sometimes well-intentioned plans have unforeseen outcomes. These are facts of life in America.
My problem, in this case, is with people who believe our gov't only does evil ... that we only elect evil peeps or that they morph into evil reptiles once elected. There are plenty of things that go right but none of them seem to register on your radar because you are convinced our gov't only does evil. Reread the OP in this thread. I noted that conspiracies are a fact of life but not everything is conspiracy driven and our gov't does not only do evil.

That pretty much depends on your POV.

If you do the right thing for the WRONG reasons, are you absolved of your evil intent?

Our government has been turned into an elaborate popularity contest, the winners pay off their financial backers with (insert corrupt practice here) and in exchange they get LIFETIME benefits, courtesy of you and me!!

If you see any 'Noble' out there you're smoking better shit than I am...

 

[SAYIT]

They left out the other completely looney tunes theory that man never did walk on the moon.

Did they include the goofy "chemtrails" conspiracy?

lol, I didn't see that either.

Not to put too fine a point on what this thread says about the "thinking" of CTs, their desperation, irrationality and plain old mean-spirited lunacy is in full January bloom on the "Sandy Hook CT" thread.

 

[eots]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo2ONxMIIl8]George Bush 2OO1 speech revisited - YouTube[/ame]

 

[SAYIT]

Quote: Originally Posted by PredFan
They left out the other completely looney tunes theory that man never did walk on the moon.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rat in the Hat
Did they include the goofy "chemtrails" conspiracy?

Quote: Originally Posted by PredFan
lol, I didn't see that either.

Quote: Originally Posted by SAYIT
Not to put too fine a point on what this thread says about the "thinking" of CTs, their desperation, irrationality and plain old mean-spirited lunacy is in full January bloom on the "Sandy Hook CT" thread.

George Bush 2OO1 speech revisited - YouTube

You can't speak for yourself? You need Youtube to do your talking, Princess? You are precisely the type of America-hatin' loony tunes CT to whom this thread is dedicated. Your lame Youtube efforts to promote your hate for all things American say far more about the hypocritical jackasses who enjoy our liberties while bashing them than it does about America.