ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that after forming initial conspiracy suspicions, however, people subsequently use System 2 processes to justify and rationalise these suspicious sentiments. Complementary evidence suggests a role for heuristics and cognitive biases in conspiracy beliefs. Heuristics are mental shortcuts to evaluate complex information quickly and efficiently and are therefore part of System 1 thinking. One set of studies offered a straightforward test of the relationships between intuitive thinking, analytic thinking and conspiracy beliefs. Psychologists focus on individual or social factors that statistically predict degrees of conspiracy thinking. Some conspiracy theories are possible or even plausible, while other conspiracy theories are unlikely in light of logic or scientific evidence. The sceptic approach thus involves a critical analysis of policy proposals or official readings of distressing events, but, also, a critical analysis of conspiracy theories. Schopenhauer may have underestimated the role of reasoning in the quest for truth: Reason can greatly assist preconceived opinions in paving the road to conspiracy beliefs.
