Some scholars believe that there may be such a thing as a tendency toward “conspiracy thinking,” or a general “conspiracy mindset”
The argument
Individuals resort to conspiracy theories when traditional narratives are insufficient. But, there is a set of shared characteristics forming the “conspiracy mentality” which predisposes individuals to believe in conspiracy theories. High levels of anxiety act as the most prominent characteristic for the “conspiracy mentality.” Conspiracy theories appeal to anxious individuals as an explanation to the uncertain, usually alleviating tension in the process. In addition to anxiety, high levels of stress engender similar reactions for individuals to resort to conspiracies. Times of despair and national unrest only augment tension for anxious or distressed people, increasing their reliance on conspiracy theories. Individuals distanced from society also share characteristics of the “conspiracy mentality.” Alienation from mainstream society includes the aversion to mainstream beliefs, therefore calling for the belief in radical conspiracy theories. Lastly, unusual stubbornness can be another trait of the “conspiracy mentality.” Belligerent individuals may be so opposed to the accepted belief that they shape their own narrative solely to disagree with the norms. These narratives usually take the form of conspiracy theories acting as a symbol of disagreement with mainstream media.
Context
People who believe in conspiracy theories are probably not just passionate radicals seeking an explanation for the unknown. Rather, these individuals share a series of psychological features which predispose them to conspiracy theories.
Premises
Counter-arguments
Many individuals believe in conspiracy theories without sharing the “conspiracy mentality,” Such individuals believe in one or a few conspiracy theories for a satisfying explanation of a complicated matter. Unless these individuals share aspects of the “conspiracy mentality,” they will not be predisposed to resort to conspiracy theories. Believing in a conspiracy theory does not indicate a predisposition to commonly accept conspiracy theories.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] The premise concedes a rival explanation in its own first clause. If people turn to conspiracy theories when ordinary narratives seem insufficient, then the situation rather than the personality is doing the explanatory work — which is the sibling cognitive-reaction position, not this one. [Rejecting P2] Anxiety and stress are offered both as fixed characteristics of the mentality and as responses to national unrest, which makes the account hard to test: belief is explained by anxiety, and anxiety is inferred from the belief. No measure, study or population is cited anywhere in the argument. [Rejecting P3] Alienation and stubbornness are added as further traits, but the counter-argument's point tells against the strength of the claim: many people accept one or two conspiracy theories and no others, which a stable disposition would not predict.