This article explores why people spread conspiracy theories, drawing on the 'Adaptive Conspiracism Hypothesis' which suggests this behavior evolved as a survival mechanism in times of intergroup conflict. It examines how vigilance against perceived threats, even false ones, could benefit individuals and groups, potentially leading to increased social standing and perceived leadership.
like these have run rampant over the years. Scientists have directed considerable scrutiny in their direction to understand their characteristics, why people find them compelling, and how they can harm society.
But why do people spread conspiracy theories in the first place? While researchers have examined many dimensions of this baffling phenomenon, relatively little of that effort has been directed at trying to understand what makes people want to share them with others. Similarly, there has been only a small amount of research that considers what these conspiracy spreaders actually get out of sharing these claims as well.
Being ever suspicious of members of other groups and vigilant of possible threats from these could be beneficial to a group’s survival. It makes them more responsive to real threats and less likely to be surprised by an enemy. Of course, it would also increase the dangers of false positives: of spotting a threat where there isn’t one. However, overactive vigilance would be much less problematic to the group’s survival than a tendency to miss warning signs.
While this perspective might seem purely hypothetical, there is substantial research showing patterns in the real world that might support it. For example, conspiracy beliefs are especially prevalent among people who are predisposed to intergroup conflict . They are linked to unrealistically positive views of one’s in-group as well as equally ridiculous negative prejudices of outgroups . They flourish in social environments characterized by high levels of conflict .
These are interesting possibilities, but are they true? Part two of this series examines the research findings.Cao, S., van Prooijen, J. W., & van Vugt, M. . The motivations and reputational consequences of spreading conspiracy theories.De Zavala, A. G. . Collective narcissism and intergroup hostility: The dark side of ‘in‐group love’.Lantian, A., Muller, D., Nurra, C., Klein, O., Berjot, S., & Pantazi, M. .
Social Sciences CONSPIRACY THEORIES SOCIAL BEHAVIOR INTERGROUP CONFLICT ADAPTIVE MECHANISMS REPUTATION
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