ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the psychological factors, focusing on the motivational and emotional reasons why people adopt conspiracy theories. Research suggests that people are attracted to conspiracy theories when they lack the ability or motivation to seek information elsewhere. Research generally supports the social underpinnings of conspiracy beliefs. For example, experimental results suggest that experiences of ostracism cause people to believe in superstitions and conspiracy theories. Entrenched attitude positions are associated with conspiracy beliefs, suggesting that they may help people defend beliefs that are important to them from disconfirmation. Emotional responses to conspiracy theories are therefore likely to be an important determinant of the consequences of conspiracy theories, and therefore a determinant of whether conspiracy theories fulfil people’s motives. Future research should examine this possibility. Future research might also investigate how conspiracy theories change people’s emotions.
