Why are Conspiracy Theories So Popular?
Conspiracy theories are attractive to a significant portion of the population primarily because they offer simple answers to complex questions.
It is difficult to enquire, research and ascertain facts while it is quite easy to believe conspiracy theories especially when charismatic people and organised groups vouch for their authenticity.
According to an article published by the American Journal of Political Science, more than half of Americans endorse at least one conspiracy theory.
Time Magazine reports that the most popular conspiracy theories in the US involve the JFK assassination, the 9/11 cover-up, Area 51 and the Aliens, The moon landings, holocaust revision and the reptilian elite.
Why do so many people believe in conspiracy theories? Is it a sense of community? Or a feeling of having unique knowledge only accessible to a group of individuals? According to Dr Sophie Hodgetts, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Sunderland:
“endorsing a conspiracy theory can generate feeling “special”, as if one has unique knowledge. This also helps to create a specific social identity in believers, an “us vs them” mentality that can bolster those beliefs.”
Dr Sophie Hodgetts
While many people might laugh off these theories as ‘half baked’ with no real value, these theories reflect the worldview of a population which is increasingly doubting information presented by mainstream news outlets. Why do these people believe absurd conspiracy theories written by anonymous or badly reputed people but fail to believe responsible journalists who have credible evidence for their stories?
With the President of the US calling platforms like CNN and more recently, The New York Times and The Washington Post as ‘fake news’, journalists all over the world must understand why many people have lost faith in traditional journalism and work to reestablish their trust by engaging with instead of alienating audiences which distrust them.
If mainstream news organisations continue to ignore the malice of ‘Alternative news’ and conspiracy theories and are unable to find innovative solutions, fringe, partisan news organisations will accede more space and gain more power to develop the worldviews of audiences.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
Voltaire