2024-02-01 07:22:01
WASHINGTON (AP) — From fears that vaccines contain microchips to voter fraud in the United States, conspiracy theories are popping up everywhere.
But belief in conspiracy theories is not new and is quite common, according to decades of surveys.
Psychologists say conspiracy theories survive because humans have a basic need to explain the world around them.
When something challenges people’s understanding, they sometimes fill in what they don’t understand with their best guesses. Or, in times of uncertainty, they seek out the voices of those who say they know what is happening, and that can provide some comfort.
Think regarding the conspiracies regarding vaccines containing microchips. These conspiracies reflect concern regarding the pace of technological advances. They gained a lot of traction during an especially uncertain and scary time, during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
These theories can make believers feel like they have inside information regarding what is really happening, even if it is not supported by facts.
The Internet has made it much easier to find and spread these falsehoods. Many websites and personalities have embraced conspiracy theories to tap into that natural human need to attract audiences.
And with so much information online, it’s hard to know what and who to trust.
The Associated Press undertook an analysis of conspiracy theories, speaking with psychology experts, with people who believe in these theories today and with people who believed in them and were disappointed.
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