Why People Believe in Conspiracy

Megan Klug, Blue M Editor-in-Chief

An elite group of celebrities in the Illuminati are running the government. The moon landing was filmed in Hollywood and never actually happened. John F. Kennedy’s was assassinated by more than one shooter. No, these aren’t facts. However, there are many people that believe these conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories are often accompanied with ‘evidence’ to prove their point. Typically, they surround events or things that are not fully explained or that lack a connection.

Studies have been conducted to figure out why people believe in such outlandish stories and theories. Psychologists have found that people are likely to believe in conspiracy for three main reasons, according to Psychology Today.

The first reason is based off of the desire for understanding. When things happen that we don’t fully comprehend, our minds want to find things to link a reason or a cause. However, sometimes things just happen in life. For example, many people believe a conspiracy about the events of September 11. There is a theory that September 11 was an inside job done by the government. Although there is plenty of proof to show that it was a terrorist attack, since it was such a detrimental and horrendous day, people want to believe there had to have been a different cause. It all ties in with our desire to understand things.

Another reason many people divulge in conspiracy theories is due to a desire to be in control. Once you fulfill the desire to understand, you also feel in control. When things are out of your control, that is when you search for why that is. Essentially, understanding and control fall hand-in-hand. When you understand something, or feel like you do, you feel more in control and that you have power over the situation. Absorbing the information that comes along with conspiracy theories provides a sense of control.

Conspiracy theories also maintains a sense of community. Theories are plastered all over Twitter and people are able to reply and discuss with others around the world. There are chat rooms on many websites made specifically to talk about conspiracy theories. It is undeniable that the creation of conspiracy theories creates a community as well. Because of this, when people are not as social, they are more likely to believe the conspiracies.

While some theories are more believable than others, there are various reasons for each person to believe them. Whether it is to join a community, fulfill the desire to understand or to control, conspiracy theories implement an element of mystery.