Conspiracy theories often claim to reveal hidden plots by powerful, malevolent groups operating behind the scenes. But why do so many people find these narratives appealing? Psychology research suggests several core motives that drive the popularity of conspiracy theories.
Three main psychological needs are at play:
- Epistemic motives: Many are drawn to conspiracy theories because they want to make sense of confusing or alarming events. These beliefs promise clarity in a chaotic world, offering explanations that seem to reveal the “real truth” behind the headlines.
- Existential motives: Conspiracy theories can create a sense of security or control, especially when the world feels unpredictable. By identifying a hidden enemy or a grand plan, people may feel more equipped to handle threats or uncertainties in their lives.
- Social motives: Perhaps most powerful of all, conspiracy theories can strengthen bonds within a group or boost a sense of belonging. Believing in shared secrets can make people feel special, smarter than the mainstream, or more loyal to their community
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Epistemic motives and belief in conspiracy theories
People are naturally driven to find causal explanations for events, especially when information is missing, uncertain, or conflicting. Conspiracy theories serve this need by offering speculative, complex, and hard-to-disprove narratives that often involve secret plots and powerful actors. They can also protect cherished beliefs by dismissing contradicting evidence as part of a larger cover-up.
Unlike scientific explanations, which aim to be empirical, simple, and falsifiable, conspiracy theories often resist disconfirmation. Attempts to debunk them may even be interpreted as evidence of the conspiracy itself. Despite their questionable accuracy, these theories can offer a sense of coherence in a complex and confusing world.
Research shows that belief in conspiracy theories increases when people seek meaning or patterns, especially during times of uncertainty or when events are large in scale. People with a strong need for cognitive closure or those feeling anxious due to unpredictability are more likely to adopt conspiracy beliefs. Additionally, such beliefs are linked to lower levels of analytic thinking, lower education, and cognitive biases like overestimating coincidences or seeing intentionality where none exists.
While conspiracy theories may temporarily satisfy the need for certainty or meaning, studies suggest that they can increase confusion and uncertainty—particularly when used to explain complex issues like vaccination or climate change. Therefore, although they may seem appealing, conspiracy theories often fail to meet the deeper epistemic motives that draw people to them in the first place.
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The existential roots of conspiratorial thinking
Beyond the search for knowledge, people are also motivated by existential needs—specifically, the desire to feel safe, secure, and in control of their environment. When these needs are threatened, conspiracy theories can offer a psychological coping mechanism by providing alternative explanations that reject official narratives. In doing so, they may give individuals a sense of understanding and control, even in uncertain situations.
Early theories proposed that conspiracy beliefs arise when people feel powerless or lack control. Supporting this, research has shown that belief in conspiracy theories is more likely when individuals experience anxiety, powerlessness, or a lack of sociopolitical control. Experimental studies confirm that people are more prone to conspiracy beliefs when their sense of control is undermined, and less likely when that sense is restored.
However, conspiracy theories may not fulfill these existential motives. Exposure to them tends to reduce feelings of autonomy and control. Studies show that people become less inclined to participate in civic life, such as voting or engaging in political discourse, and may even falsely believe their current views match their past ones. Since conspiracy theories depict outcomes as controlled by powerful, malevolent forces, they often deepen feelings of helplessness rather than alleviate them.
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Social motives
In addition to satisfying epistemic and existential needs, conspiracy theories also serve social motives—particularly the desire to maintain a positive self-image and uphold the moral value of one’s group. These theories often shift blame for negative events onto powerful outsiders, which helps individuals protect the perceived competence and virtue of themselves or their in-group.
This defensive function makes conspiracy theories especially attractive to people who feel socially excluded, disrespected, or threatened. Those who experience marginalization—due to ethnicity, economic status, or political defeat—are more likely to endorse conspiratorial thinking. Belief in such theories is also associated with negative attitudes toward powerful groups and perceived enemies, as well as heightened group-based pride that demands external validation.
Moreover, individuals with narcissistic personality disorder —both personal and collective—show stronger tendencies toward conspiracy belief. These beliefs may help them defend an inflated self-image or a belief in their group’s superiority, especially when that image feels under threat.
However, conspiracy theories often do not fulfill these social motives in a lasting or healthy way. Instead of fostering social cohesion or pride, they tend to increase feelings of distrust, alienation, and cynicism. People exposed to conspiracy theories are more likely to lose faith in political institutions and experts, and may withdraw from social engagement. Ultimately, conspiracy beliefs may reinforce the very social disconnection and dissatisfaction they are meant to alleviate.
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The irony of conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories promise clarity, control, and community—but often deliver the opposite. They speak to deep human needs: the need to understand, to feel safe, and to belong. But the stories they tell often blur reality. They offer brief certainty, yet increase confusion, promise control, but leave people feeling more powerless. Also, create group unity while breaking trust in society.
Conspiracy theories are seductive because they seem to make sense of chaos. But that’s what also makes them dangerous. They fill emotional and mental gaps with stories that feel true—yet come at the cost of logic, independence, and social connection.
Like a desert mirage, they appear in moments of fear and uncertainty. They offer comfort—but lead to isolation, mistrust, and misinformation. Understanding why people are drawn to conspiracy theories doesn’t mean excusing them. It means recognizing the human needs they try—and often fail—to meet. Our world is more complex, uncertain, and divided than ever. The real challenge isn’t just fighting conspiracies with facts. It’s about creating a society where curiosity finds trustworthy answers, anxiety meets real support, and belonging grows through inclusion.
In the end, the strongest antidote to conspiracy thinking may not be debunking—but meaning, empowerment, and trust.
Source: NIH, American Psychological Association
