Conspiracy theories are a mental health crisis

Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6282974/ https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/conspiracy-theories https://www.adamstaten.com/blog/2021/2/7/low-iq-and-conspiracy-theories-a-hand-in-glove-relationship https://www.psypost.org/2022/05/trump-supporters-use-less-cognitively-complex-language-and-more-simplistic-modes-of-thinking-than-biden-supporters-study-finds-63068 https://www.newamericanjournal.net/2020/08/trump-promotes-messiah-complex-with-low-iq-religious-voters/ https://www.civic-renaissance.com/p/when-does-an-intellectual-failing https://youtu.be/ww47bR86wSc Conspiracy theories are a mental health crisis No one's talking about the complex relationship between disinformation and mental health. That changes now. https://mashable.com/article/mental-health-disinformation-conspiracy-theories-depression Inside the Brain of a Psychopath https://youtu.be/AHk7S6prF6M Belief in conspiracy theories: The predictive role of schizotypy, Machiavellianism, and primary psychopathy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31794581/ Paranoia and Conspiracy Theories DR. SCHWARTZ'S WEBLOG BY ALLAN SCHWARTZ, LCSW, PH.D. https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/paranoia-and-conspiracy-theories/ Paranoia and conspiracy thinking https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X22000811 Why conspiracy theorists are not always paranoid: Conspiracy theories and paranoia form separate factors with distinct psychological predictors https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0259053 Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34851516/ Paranoia and conspiracy: group cohesion increases harmful intent attribution in the Trust Game https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6699476/ Mental health & conspiracy theories – is there a connection? Conspiracy theories are on the rise and so too is the number of people who get behind them. Among other things, this is believed to be linked to the increasing use of social media – but is there also a mental health connection? A conspiracy theory can be generally defined as a belief that a secret but influential organization is responsible for a particular phenomenon or event. Conspiracy theories come in many forms, but the majority are about social or political events. Some people seem to get consumed by particular conspiracy theories. There also seems to be an increasing number of people who subscribe to several conspiracy theories, even sometimes all conspiracy theories – and then any new ones that arise as well. This can be to such an extent that now mental health experts are talking about some people having a conspiracy theory addiction. So what could be behind this? A BEHAVIORAL ADDICTION https://www.tikvahlake.com/blog/mental-health-conspiracy-theories-is-there-a-connection/

People Drawn to Conspiracy Theories Share a Cluster of Psychological Features Baseless theories threaten our safety and democracy. It turns out that specific emotions make people prone to such thinking https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/people-drawn-to-conspiracy-theories-share-a-cluster-of-psychological-features/ Conspiracy Theories Aren't Delusions PART 1: CONSPIRACY THEORIES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE. Conspiracy theories aren't delusions, but they can cause psychological distress. The phrase "not mentally ill, but not mentally healthy" often applies to those who believe in conspiracy theories. Mistrust and vulnerability to misinformation lie at the root of conspiracy theory beliefs. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psych-unseen/202111/conspiracy-theories-arent-delusions Conspiracy Theories: A Public Health Concern and How to Address It https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.682931/full Conspiracy Theories Have Much in Common. Their Differences May Hold the Key to Identifying When They Turn Violent. Detecting Conspiracy Theories on Social Media Improving Machine Learning to Detect and Understand Online Conspiracy Theories (ROBO-BOT: DEAD OR ALIVE YOU'RE COMING WITH ME) Conspiracy theories circulated online via social media contribute to a shift in public discourse away from facts and analysis and can contribute to direct public harm. Social media platforms face a difficult technical and policy challenge in trying to mitigate harm from online conspiracy theory language. As part of Google's Jigsaw unit's effort to confront emerging threats and incubate new technology to help create a safer world, RAND researchers conducted a modeling effort to improve machine-learning (ML) technology for detecting conspiracy theory language. They developed a hybrid model using linguistic and rhetorical theory to boost performance. They also aimed to synthesize existing research on conspiracy theories using new insight from this improved modeling effort. This report describes the results of that effort and offers recommendations to counter the effects of conspiracy theories that are spread online. KEY FINDINGS The hybrid ML model improved conspiracy topic detection. The hybrid ML model dramatically improved on either single model's ability to detect conspiratorial language. Hybrid models likely have broad application to detecting any kind of harmful speech, not just that related to conspiracy theories. Some conspiracy theories, though harmful, rhetorically invoke legitimate social goods, such as health and safety. Some conspiracy theories rhetorically function by creating hate-based "us versus them" social oppositions. Direct contradiction or mockery is unlikely to change conspiracy theory adherence. Conspiracy Theories Have Much in Common. Their Differences May Hold the Key to Identifying When They Turn Violent. Dec 22, 2021 Yasmin Green, William Marcellino https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA676-1.html https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68794.html Social Media, Cognitive Reflection, and Conspiracy Beliefs A growing number of Americans stay informed about current events through social media. But using social media as a source of news is associated with increased likelihood of being misinformed about important topics, such as COVID-19. The two most popular platforms—Facebook and YouTube—remain relatively understudied in comparison to Twitter, which tends to be used by elites, but less than a quarter of the American public. In this brief research report, we investigate how cognitive reflection can mitigate the potential effects of using Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for news on subsequent conspiracy theory endorsement. To do that, we rely on an original dataset of 1,009 survey responses collected during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, on March 31, 2020. We find that using Facebook and YouTube for news increases conspiracy belief (both general and COVID-19 specific), controlling for cognitive reflection, traditional news media use, use of web-based news media, partisanship, education, age, and income. We also find that the impact of Facebook use on conspiracy belief is moderated by cognitive reflection. Facebook use increases conspiracy belief among those with low cognitive reflection but has no effect among those with moderate levels of cognitive reflection. It might even decrease conspiracy belief among those with the highest levels of cognitive reflection. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2021.647957/full The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation Numerous studies find associations between social media use and beliefs in conspiracy theories and misinformation. While such findings are often interpreted as evidence that social media causally promotes conspiracy beliefs, we theorize that this relationship is conditional on other individual-level predispositions. Across two studies, we examine the relationship between beliefs in conspiracy theories and media use, finding that individuals who get their news from social media and use social media frequently express more beliefs in some types of conspiracy theories and misinformation. However, we also find that these relationships are conditional on conspiracy thinking––the predisposition to interpret salient events as products of conspiracies––such that social media use becomes more strongly associated with conspiracy beliefs as conspiracy thinking intensifies. This pattern, which we observe across many beliefs from two studies, clarifies the relationship between social media use and beliefs in dubious ideas. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11109-021-09734-6 The COVID‐19 pandemic and the search for structure: Social media and conspiracy theories The study outlines a model for how the COVID‐19 pandemic has uniquely exacerbated the propagation of conspiracy beliefs and subsequent harmful behaviors. The pandemic has led to widespread disruption of cognitive and social structures. As people face these disruptions they turn online seeking alternative cognitive and social structures. Once there, social media radicalizes beliefs, increasing contagion (rapid spread) and stickiness (resistance to change) of conspiracy theories. As conspiracy theories are reinforced in online communities, social norms develop, translating conspiracy beliefs into real‐world action. These real‐world exchanges are then posted back on social media, where they are further reinforced and amplified, and the cycle continues. In the broader population, this process draws attention to conspiracy theories and those who confidently espouse them. This attention can drive perceptions that conspiracy beliefs are less fringe and more popular, potentially normalizing such beliefs for the mainstream. We conclude by considering interventions and future research to address this seemingly intractable problem. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8420120/ WHAT IS CONSPIRACY THEORY ADDICTION? A conspiracy theory can be defined as the belief that a secret-but-influential organization or individual is responsible for a circumstance or event. People often think that these beliefs are rare or sometimes absurd, but research shows they may be more common than previously thought. A study found that about 50% of Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory. Conspiracy theories come in all forms, but most theories involve political and social events. Some examples include the belief that certain celebrities are immortal vampires and controversial topics such as the belief that a small group of people are planning to overthrow the government. Often, one theory will have accompanying and sometimes contradictory conspiracy theories which can be dangerous if not challenged. On the other hand, it can be noted that some conspiracy theories have been proven to be true. With the increased popularity of conspiracies and exposure to information, it is possible to harm one’s mental health and relationships by developing a conspiracy theory addiction. Conspiracy theory addiction is a behavioral addiction that can have a hidden impact on the way one perceives events and has been linked to having more negative attitudes. Rather than helping one cope with their negative feelings, the belief in conspiracy theories can create a cycle of distrust and disempowerment. As a person encounters different sources, it is important to be able to analyze the information and distinguish between false theories and real threats. People who strongly believe in conspiracy theories and become addicted may experience some of the following: Anxiety or fear for no particular reason. A perceived loss of control. A need to make sense of complex topics or unrelated events, even with little or no topical knowledge. Low self-esteem. A strong urge to make connections between a series of unrelated events or behaviors. A belief in paranormal explanations for scientific phenomenon. A sense of not belonging or isolation. A great alienation, disengagement, or disaffection from society If the presence of the above feelings and behaviors significantly impacts a person’s ability to function in their daily lives, that person may have a conspiracy theory addiction. WHY DO PEOPLE BELIEVE IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES? Conspiracy theories occur when people create links between one or more unrelated events, a process that emerges from the need for the human brain to find patterns. New research also shows that people with certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem, are more likely to have a conspiracy theory addiction. Researchers have studied the different reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories, and many of the explanations include the following factors: A need for understanding and consistency. A need for control. A need to belong or feel special. NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING When a person experiences distress over uncertainty or witnesses a large-scale event, the mind will start to look for explanations that connect the dots. Those with lower analytical abilities and less tolerance for uncertainty are more likely to believe a conspiracy theory. This is because conspiracy theories can often provide explanations for events that seem confusing or frightening, and believers can assume that they are being intentionally deceived. People are also naturally inclined to search for information that confirms their existing beliefs; this is known as confirmation bias. The ability to easily share and spread information over the internet has increased belief in certain conspiracy theories. Someone with a conspiracy theory addiction may seek out information to support something they already think is true, rather than seek out new information or challenge their beliefs. A need for understanding and consistency can lead to addictive behaviors such as spending excessive time on the internet and ignoring relationships and responsibilities. NEED FOR CONTROL Conspiracy theory addiction can also be caused by the need to feel safe and in control. When the human mind feels threatened, identifying what is causing the danger can be a way to cope with anxiety. One study found that people are more likely to believe in conspiracies if they are feeling anxious. Another study found that people who feel psychologically and/or sociopolitically disempowered are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. People who have a conspiracy theory addiction may be drawn to the theories as a way of making sense of the world and feeling more in control. Researchers who have studied why people believe in conspiracy theories have found little evidence that believing in these theories actually helps reduce anxiety or satisfy the need to feel in control. People who have a conspiracy theory addiction are less likely to engage in actions that could improve their autonomy and sense of control. The long-term effects of conspiracy theory addiction may leave people feeling more disempowered and anxious than before. NEED TO BELONG Conspiracy theory addiction can also form as a defense mechanism, especially in those who feel alienation and disaffection from society. Typically those with a strong belief in conspiracies have a distrust in authority, lower self-esteem, lower levels of interpersonal trust, and feel that they are the “heroes” in the story — while those who are conspiring against them are the “enemy.” As modern society becomes more complex and information is more easily spread, some people feel left behind in trying to keep up. When a person feels disadvantaged, they will often find ways to boost their own self-perceptions. RISKS Conspiracy theory addiction can have long-term negative effects on an individual. Although belief in conspiracies is often motivated by the need to understand, be in control, and feel socially connected, these aren’t the results that are being gained. In fact, some studies have shown that believing in conspiracies can reinforce feelings of confusion, isolation, and loneliness. The cycle of addiction becomes destructive as negative feelings contribute to the belief in conspiracies and the belief in conspiracies results in negative feelings. Conspiracy theory addiction not only causes a cycle of distrust, but it discourages people from participating in their social worlds. Someone who lacks a sense of control may stop viewing themselves as a valuable contributor to society. LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO START? Reach out to a treatment provider for free today. https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/conspiracy-theory-addiction/ Paranoia and Conspiracy Theories https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/paranoia-and-conspiracy-theories/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/02/why-we-are-addicted-to-conspiracy-theories https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/health/psychology-conspiracy-theories.html # **Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Adults** Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in adults is more common than you might think. People with this condition are always angry. They’re addicted to arguments, easily lose their temper, and experience problems within their family and social circle as well as at work. https://www.ctvnews.ca/.../how-to-handle-covid-19... In fact, although this psychological condition tends to be more frequently associated with the child population, it’s also relatively common for it to continue into adulthood. As a matter of fact, it’s extremely common for a defiant child to develop an antisocial personality disorder over the years. However, a lack of temperamental control in maturity leads to somewhat more of a problematic psychological reality. Indeed, this kind of type of opposition to authority in adulthood borders on far more challenging and dangerous types of behavior. https://youtu.be/9t7o30mP8qI For this reason, it’s not a minor problem and the figures are worrying. In fact, it’s estimated that oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) affects between five percent and 15 percent of the school population. However, a good number of the cases aren’t diagnosed. Therefore, it’s extremely common for people to reach 20, 30, or 40 years of age exhibiting the kind of behavior that’s as adverse as it’s conflictive. https://www.cbc.ca/.../view/conspiracy-theories-parents-kids # **The symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in adults** Some children can be challenging, difficult, and even troublesome. However, it doesn’t mean they suffer from ODD. In fact, ODD is a recurring condition in childhood in which a set of complex behaviors tend to spiral. These behaviors include aggressiveness towards authority figures, constant tantrums, vindictive behaviors, resentment, constant irritability, etc. ODD is recognized as [an externalizing disorder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externalizing_disorders) (Achenbach et al., 1983; Quay et al., 1987). It involves the maladaptive behaviors we mentioned earlier. Furthermore, if not treated early, it** can lead to criminal behavior and serious social maladjustment in adulthood.** ## Defining characteristics The adult with ODD demonstrates a **clear impossibility of integrating into an environment with basic norms.** If the school stage was problematic for them, keeping a job in maturity may well prove to be even more of a challenge. For this reason, they don’t usually spend too long in any one position. Here are some of the behaviors they tend to exhibit: * They lose patience frequently. In fact, they have an extremely **low resistance to any kind of frustration.** * They present notable mood swings. However, their most common frame of mind is irritability. * They define themselves as rebellious figures. Furthermore, they think of themselves as independent people who live life in their own way. However, the obvious contradiction here is that they’re completely unable to adapt to almost any situation. They experience family and work problems. In addition, they find it hard to keep hold of friends and partners, etc. **They show no personal responsibility.** * They don’t respect rules or laws. Nor do they accept advice. * [They’re consistently angry with the world](https://exploringyourmind.com/when-i-get-angry-i-lose.../), the system, and every figure of authority. * They see themselves as misunderstood. Indeed, according to them, no one appreciates their worth, their potential, or their good work. * **They tend to use verbal violence.** * They’ll exhibit dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. * They may develop addictive and violent behaviors. https://rsc-src.ca/.../conspiracy-theorists-are-falsely... # **The causes of oppositional defiant disorder** ** There are several theories that explain the appearance of oppositional defiant disorder in adults.** On the one hand, there are neurobiological approaches. These refer to genetic causes. Then, there’s the social explanation. This concerns [dysfunctional patterns of upbringing](https://exploringyourmind.com/five-traits-of-a.../) and education. For instance, these often involve aggressive fathers and depressed yet controlling mothers. While it’s true that the triggers for this externalizing disorder aren’t exactly clear, there’s one indisputable reality. **This is the fact that any child or adolescent who doesn’t receive psychological attention for their defiant disorder develops more problematic behaviors in adulthood**. In fact, it’s extremely common for them to end up with an antisocial personality disorder. Washington State University (USA) conducted [research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3825265/) concerning ODD. This study mentions that ODD sufferers possess a specific latent psychological structure. It can be observed in children between four-six years of age. In fact, these children exhibit hostility and defiance of authority even at this early age. These traits become more prominent between the ages of 14 and 16. Later, **in early adulthood (18-25 years), antisocial behaviors emerge**. https://www.stalberttoday.ca/.../i-miss-them-a-lot-family... # **For this reason, to avoid and prevent oppositional defiant disorder in adults, as well as antisocial personality disorder, an early diagnosis is necessary.** https://exploringyourmind.com/oppositional-defiant.../ The Dunning–Kruger effect is **a cognitive bias whereby people with low ability, expertise, or experience regarding a certain type of a task or area of knowledge tend to overestimate their ability or knowledge**. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect **Herd mentality, mob mentality or pack mentality** describes how people can be influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors on a largely emotional, rather than rational, basis. When individuals are affected by mob mentality, they may make different decisions than they would have individually. https://www.psychologytoday.com/.../the-psychology-mob... # The Milgram Experiment: When Ordinary People Do Terrible Things. https://youtu.be/vuMt8b4UrcI https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html # Where does it all lead to? # **Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity** https://youtu.be/ww47bR86wSc **"Sure, it can be hard to win an argument against an intelligent person but it's impossible to win an argument against a stupid person.." Bill Murray. ** When does an intellectual failing become a moral one? Against stupidity we have no defense. Neither protests nor force can touch it. Reasoning is of no use. Facts that contradict personal prejudices can simply be disbelieved — indeed, the fool can counter by criticizing them, and if they are undeniable, they can just be pushed aside as trivial exceptions. So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self-satisfied. In fact, they can easily become dangerous, as it does not take much to make them aggressive. For that reason, greater caution is called for than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous. Dialogue can be futile, because the foolish person doesn’t think for themselves, but merely recites talking points: In conversation with [the foolish person], one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with a person, but with slogans, catchwords and the like that have taken possession of him.He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil. In answer to our original question, Bonhoeffer contends that stupidity is not an intellectual defect at all; it is instead a moral one. Bonhoeffer knew people who were brilliant intellectually, yet stupid. Consider Martin Heidegger, among the greatest philosophers of the 20th century, who supported the Nazi party until his death in 1976. He was very smart, but also very stupid. By contrast, a person can be intellectually dim yet wise, moral and kind. One is not born, stupid, Bonhoeffer says. A person becomes stupid because they allow themselves to become so transformed. People are also not stupid in isolation. Stupidity, according to Bonhoeffer, is an inevitably social phenomena. He observes that in groups people succumb to pressures and influences, and lose a grasp on their autonomy and moral reasoning. Bonhoeffer says that a stupid person must be liberated. They cannot be argued or instructed out of stupidity. You can read Bonhoeffer’s entire note on stupidity here, and I encourage you to read more from Bonhoeffer’s oeuvre, which is well worth your time. **We live in divided times. **And it often feels that today people not only hold differing viewpoints, but are also less charitable than they used to be, more likely to vilify and demonize those who think differently than they do. Anyone who disagrees with us is not just different, misguided, or wrong. They are bad. We equate intellectual shortcomings—where people may simply lack the information, attention, or training to form good opinions—with moral ones. This tendency raises an important question: When, if ever, does an intellectual defect become a moral failing? There seem to be some paradigm examples on each end of the spectrum. Thinking the earth is flat, for example, clearly is an intellectual failing, not a moral one. John C. Calhoun’s view that slavery is a “positive good,” meanwhile, is an example of both an intellectual failing and a moral failing. The toughest situations fall somewhere in between these extremes. I have someone very close to me in my life who is deeply good yet has very misguided opinions on many topics, and I often find myself uncertain how I should respond. My book on civility, forthcoming from St. Martin’s press, argues that civility requires us to see and respect the humanity and dignity of others—including people unlike us, those who can do nothing for us, and those we disagree with. https://www.civic-renaissance.com/.../when-does-an... Building trust through effective science communication. Barbara shares ideas on effective science communication. She explains why we should be interested, based on her own observations of emerging movements such as Flat Earthers and climate change deniers in the US and Brazil. How can we build trust in science? I would like to make an invitation to all my fellow scientists. Let’s make our research accessible! Use social media, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, create games, podcasts, music, choreography, videoclips, whatever. Find your talent! Share, inspire and engage your friends to do the same! Here are some online free resources for effective science communication: https://blogs.egu.eu/.../building-trust-through.../ https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../alan-alda-would-like.../ https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gardenecol.../2019/05/29/alda/ Actor Alan Alda referred to flat earth when he was expressing his views that one can be polite and listen to what one is saying and try to understand why they think the way they do. (Of course the Flatties responded by accusing Alan Alda of being a paid conspirator.) https://youtu.be/l7EJFqW3ctM When does an intellectual failing become a moral one? https://www.civic-renaissance.com/.../when-does-an... https://youtu.be/ww47bR86wSc The Psychology of Stupid The use of the word stupidity derives from the way Plato defined it in his dialogue, Sophist, and elsewhere: it is when a person supposes they know something that they do not know. It is a willful refusal to learn, typically because the person is already convinced they know something. That is stupidity. Aug. 24, 2015. http://www.peterhfrank.com/the-psychology-of-stupid/