"It's not because we're foolish. They're titillating and comforting. During political or social uncertainty, a false pattern can feel safer than a knowledge vacuum. Novelty also makes falsehoods more shareable. It's why "new news" spreads significantly faster and further than the truth. Platform algorithms then reward outrage and conspiracy‑leaning content. The impulse to share is understandable. We want to be first with the gossip. Immediate gratification follows with an instant dopamine hit."
"Plus, we feel both special and superior as part of a select club. The result? At best, misinformation, tension, and distorted decisions. At worst, polarization, tribalism, and fractured communities. Conspiracy theories spread by rumor, often maliciously. Alex Jones claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax, despite its 26 victims. People believed it. During COVID-19, large-scale U.S. estimates suggest anti‑vax narratives led to 200,000 preventable deaths. Repetition then overrides verification, and illusory truth sets in."
Conspiracy theories gain traction because they offer titillation, comforting patterns, and a sense of belonging, especially during political or social uncertainty. Novelty increases shareability, and platform algorithms amplify outrage and conspiracy-leaning content. Sharing produces immediate dopamine rewards and feelings of being special, which encourage rapid spread. Repetition breeds illusory truth, overriding verification. Extreme examples include Alex Jones's Sandy Hook falsehoods and estimates that anti‑vax narratives contributed to 200,000 preventable COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. Consequences range from misinformation and distorted decisions to polarization, tribalism, fractured communities, and preventable harm. Psychological drivers include needs for closure, focus, and belonging.
Read at Psychology Today
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