Overview
The psychology of conspiracy theories examines the reasons why individuals are drawn to these beliefs and the psychological mechanisms at play. Factors such as cognitive biases, social identity, and the influence of misinformation contribute to the acceptance of conspiracy theories. Understanding th...
Key Terms
Example: Confirmation bias leads people to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs.
Example: People may support conspiracy theories that align with their political group.
Example: Rumors about a public figure can be considered misinformation.
Example: Social media groups can create echo chambers for conspiracy theories.
Example: A person may only read articles that support their belief in a conspiracy.
Example: Ad hominem attacks are a common logical fallacy in debates.