Editing Conspiracy theory (section)

===Causes===
{{Anchor|Origins}}

Some psychologists believe that a search for meaning is common in conspiracism. Once cognized, [[confirmation bias]] and avoidance of [[cognitive dissonance]] may reinforce the belief. When a conspiracy theory has become embedded within a social group, [[communal reinforcement]] may also play a part.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Swami|first1=Viren|last2=Coles|first2=Rebecca|last3=Stieger|first3=Stefan|last4=Pietschnig|first4=Jakob|last5=Furnham|first5=Adrian|last6=Rehim|first6=Sherry|last7=Voracek|first7=Martin|date=2011|title=Conspiracist ideation in Britain and Austria: Evidence of a monological belief system and associations between individual psychological differences and real-world and fictitious conspiracy theories|journal=British Journal of Psychology|volume=102|issue=3|pages=443–463|doi=10.1111/j.2044-8295.2010.02004.x|pmid=21751999}}</ref>

Inquiry into possible motives behind the accepting of irrational conspiracy theories has linked<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=van Prooijen|first1=Jan-Willem|last2=Jostmann|first2=Nils B.|date=17 December 2012|title=Belief in conspiracy theories: The influence of uncertainty and perceived morality|journal=European Journal of Social Psychology|volume=43|issue=1|pages=109–115|doi=10.1002/ejsp.1922}}</ref> these beliefs to distress resulting from an event that occurred, such as the [[September 11 attacks|events of 9/11.]] Additional research suggests that "delusional ideation" is the trait most likely to indicate a stronger belief in conspiracy theories.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dagnall|first1=Neil|last2=Drinkwater|first2=Kenneth|last3=Parker|first3=Andrew|last4=Denovan|first4=Andrew|last5=Parton|first5=Megan|date=2015|title=Conspiracy theory and cognitive style: a worldview|journal=Frontiers in Psychology|language=en|volume=6|page=206|doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00206|pmid=25762969|pmc=4340140|doi-access=free}}</ref> Research also shows an increased attachment to these irrational beliefs leads to a decreased desire for civic engagement.<ref name="BrothertonFrench2014"/> Belief in conspiracy theories is correlated with low intelligence, lower analytical thinking, [[anxiety disorder]]s, [[paranoia]], and [[authoritarian]] beliefs.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bullock|first1=John G.|last2=Lenz|first2=Gabriel|date=2019-05-11|title=Partisan Bias in Surveys|journal=Annual Review of Political Science|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|pages=325–342|doi=10.1146/annurev-polisci-051117-050904|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Scientists find a link between low intelligence and acceptance of 'pseudo-profound bulls***'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-find-link-between-low-intelligence-and-acceptance-pseudo-profound-bulls-a6757731.html|newspaper=The Independent|last=Bolton|first=Doug|date=2 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories|volume=26|issue=6|doi=10.1177/0963721417718261|last1=Douglas|first1=Karen M.|last2=Sutton|first2=Robbie M.|last3=Cichocka|first3=Aleksandra|journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science|date=7 December 2017|pages=538–542|pmid=29276345|pmc=5724570}}</ref>

Professor [[Quassim Cassam]] argues that conspiracy theorists hold their beliefs due to flaws in their thinking and, more precisely, their intellectual character. He cites philosopher [[Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski]] and her book ''Virtues of the Mind'' in outlining intellectual virtues (such as humility, caution, and carefulness) and intellectual vices (such as gullibility, carelessness, and closed-mindedness). Whereas intellectual virtues help reach sound examination, intellectual vices "impede effective and responsible inquiry", meaning that those prone to believing in conspiracy theories possess certain vices while lacking necessary virtues.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cassam|first1=Quassim|title=Bad Thinkers|url=https://aeon.co/essays/the-intellectual-character-of-conspiracy-theorists|publisher=Aeon|date=13 March 2015}}</ref>

Some researchers have suggested that conspiracy theories could be partially caused by the human brain's mechanisms for detecting dangerous coalitions. Such a mechanism could have been helpful in the small-scale environment humanity evolved in but is mismatched in a modern, complex society and thus "misfire", perceiving conspiracies where none exist.<ref>van Prooijen, Jan-Willem, and Van Vugt, Mark (2018) "Conspiracy theories: Evolved functions and psychological mechanisms" ''[[Perspectives on Psychological Science]]'' v.13, n.6, pp.770–788</ref>

====Projection====
Some historians have argued that [[psychological projection]] is prevalent amongst conspiracy theorists. According to the argument, this projection is manifested in the form of attributing undesirable characteristics of the self to the conspirators. Historian Richard Hofstadter stated that:

{{blockquote|This enemy seems on many counts a projection of the self; both the ideal and the unacceptable aspects of the self are attributed to him. A fundamental paradox of the paranoid style is the imitation of the enemy. The enemy, for example, may be the cosmopolitan intellectual, but the paranoid will outdo him in the apparatus of scholarship, even of pedantry.&nbsp;...&nbsp;The Ku Klux Klan imitated Catholicism to the point of donning priestly vestments, developing an elaborate ritual and an equally elaborate hierarchy. The [[John Birch Society]] emulates Communist cells and quasi-secret operation through "front" groups, and preaches a ruthless prosecution of the ideological war along lines very similar to those it finds in the Communist enemy. Spokesmen of the various fundamentalist anti-Communist "crusades" openly express their admiration for the dedication, discipline, and strategic ingenuity the Communist cause calls forth.<ref name="harpers=1964"/>}}

Hofstadter also noted that "sexual freedom" is a vice frequently attributed to the conspiracist's target group, noting that "very often the fantasies of true believers reveal strong sadomasochistic outlets, vividly expressed, for example, in the delight of anti-Masons with the cruelty of Masonic punishments".<ref name="harpers=1964">{{cite book|author=Hofstadter, Richard|author-link=Richard Hofstadter|year=1965|title=The Paranoid Style in American Politics and Other Essays|location=New York|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf|isbn=978-0-674-65461-7|pages=32–33|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XcLSoljnmBcC&q=0674654617|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418133817/https://books.google.com/books?id=XcLSoljnmBcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=0674654617#v=onepage&q=This%20enemy%20seems%20to%20be%20on%20many%20counts%20a%20projection|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Physiology====
[[Marcel Danesi]] suggests that people who believe conspiracy theories have difficulty rethinking situations. Exposure to those theories has caused neural pathways to be more rigid and less subject to change. Initial susceptibility to believing these theories' lies, dehumanizing language, and metaphors leads to the acceptance of larger and more extensive theories because the hardened neural pathways are already present. Repetition of the "facts" of conspiracy theories and their connected lies simply reinforces the rigidity of those pathways. Thus, conspiracy theories and dehumanizing lies are not mere hyperbole; they can actually change the way people think:

{{blockquote|Unfortunately, research into this brain wiring also shows that once people begin to believe lies, they are unlikely to change their minds even when confronted with evidence that contradicts their beliefs. It is a form of brainwashing. Once the brain has carved out a well-worn path of believing deceit, it is even harder to step out of that path – which is how fanatics are born. Instead, these people will seek out information that confirms their beliefs, avoid anything that is in conflict with them, or even turn the contrasting information on its head, so as to make it fit their beliefs.{{pb}}People with strong convictions will have a hard time changing their minds, given how embedded a lie becomes in the mind. In fact, there are scientists and scholars still studying the best tools and tricks to combat lies with some combination of brain training and linguistic awareness.<ref>Danesi, Marcel (30 July 2023) [https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/07/30/the-connection-between-political-lies-and-conspiracy-theories-00108378 "What Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán Understand About Your Brain"] ''[[Politico]]''</ref>}}