Conspiracy theories satisfy epistemic, existential, and social needs

Evidence

Research has shown that conspiracy theories fulfil at least three basic psychological needs. The first is epistemological – or the desire to make sense of the world around us. Conspiracy theories offer simple causal explanations for what otherwise seem to be chaotic and random events; it’s much easier to believe that global warming is a hoax (a simple explanation) than to engage with scientific predictions about its consequences. But conspiracy theories also have a way of making people feel unique and ‘in the know’, separating them from the regular ‘sheeple’. … The second function of conspiracies is to offer existential relief. People worry about the uncertain nature of our existence and so conspiracy theories establish a sense of agency and control over the narrative and world events. … Lastly, conspiracy theories serve basic relational needs. They give people who feel marginalized in society an opportunity to affiliate and belong to a community with a common cause. — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof, 179

Categorization

• XREF: The three-needs framework maps closely onto standard meaning/control/belonging motives found in social psychology and search-for-meaning literature (cf. terror management theory). — connects to: Ordinary people can generate conspiracy theories on demand — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects…, 218; Conspiracy theories stay viable by anchoring to real events people care about — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects…, 747; Conspiracy functions as an alternative epistemology when interpretation has no ground truth — , The Braided Reading EPUB: 5-Year…, 105 (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• Conspiracy theories convert vague existential dread into manageable concrete fear #expands (0.95) — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 702
• Conspiracy functions as an alternative epistemology when interpretation has no ground truth #expands (0.82) — , The Braided Reading EPUB, 105
• Conspiracy belief stems from universal human meaning-making rather than outsider pathology #corroborates (0.75) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 32
• Conspiracy theories serve as cover stories for avoiding hard realities #expands (0.72) — Naomi Klein, Doppelganger, 871
• Conspiracy theories primarily assign blame rather than explain events #qualifies (0.72) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 972