Suddenly: Western Youth Found to Be More Prone to Conspiracy Theories 0 9

A recent study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology revealed certain psychological traits associated with belief in conspiracy theories. Researchers found that people who perceive the world as unfair, as well as those who struggle with uncertainty or ambiguity, are more likely to accept conspiratorial explanations for events.

The concept of "tolerance for uncertainty" describes how a person reacts to vague, contradictory, or incomplete information. The researchers aimed to determine whether discomfort from uncertainty leads to a tendency to seek more definitive explanations, which are often provided by conspiracy theories. They also examined how perceptions of world justice correlate with these personality traits. The study involved 253 adults who completed an online survey. Respondents came from various countries, with the largest groups from the UK, South Africa, the USA, and Canada. The average age of participants was around 49 years, and most had higher education.

To assess the tendency toward conspiracy theories, a ten-point scale was used. Questions covered topics such as the influence of secret organizations on political decisions and government surveillance of citizens. There were also items specifically aimed at determining belief that official accounts of events intentionally distort information. One such question asked whether participants believed that politicians generally hide the true motives behind their decisions. Participants also provided information about their demographics, political views, and religious beliefs. They rated their own level of optimism and the extent to which they perceive the world as fair or unfair. Additionally, they took a personality test called the "High Potential Traits Indicator," which measures six traits, including adaptability, competitiveness, risk-taking, and tolerance for uncertainty.

The analysis revealed several notable patterns. Demographic data showed that young people are generally more prone to conspiratorial beliefs than older individuals, and women exhibited a slightly higher tendency toward such views compared to men. However, these differences were less significant compared to other factors. Political and religious aspects had a stronger influence. People who considered themselves more religious tended to score higher on the conspiracy theory tendency scale. Similarly, participants with conservative political views were more likely to endorse conspiratorial ideas than liberals. These results align with previous research showing a connection between certain ideological orientations and conspiratorial thinking.

The most significant predictors turned out to be psychological traits related to world perception and information processing. A strong correlation was observed between belief in an unjust world and a tendency toward conspiratorial beliefs. Those who viewed the world as inherently unfair were more likely to believe that influential groups secretly manipulate events, and this sense of injustice became a powerful indicator of conspiratorial thinking.

Tolerance for uncertainty also emerged as an important factor. People with low tolerance for uncertainty, meaning those who experience discomfort from unclear or contradictory situations, were more likely to accept conspiracy theories. For them, such theories can create a sense of certainty and closure that they lack, providing a simple explanation for complex events. The study also revealed results that contradict some common assumptions. It turned out that participants' level of education did not influence their tendency to believe in conspiracy theories – having a university degree did not protect against such beliefs. Furthermore, the personality trait of "curiosity," typically associated with openness to new ideas, had no significant impact on belief in conspiracy theories.

These data suggest that conspiracy theories may serve a psychological function for some individuals. Faced with uncertainty or a sense of loss of control, they may experience anxiety. Accepting a conspiratorial version of events provides them with a coherent explanation for complex or confusing phenomena, helping to reduce discomfort and transforming a chaotic situation into an ordered narrative of causes and effects.