This position holds that people believe conspiracy theories as a cognitive reaction rooted deep in the subconscious. It argues such belief stems from thinking errors—clinging to 'degenerating research programmes' and committing the 'fatal attribution error'—and from the comfort the theories provide.
Supporting arguments · 3
- Believing in conspiracy theories is comfortingIt is more comforting to believe things are planned than being due to chance.
- Conspiracy believers commit a cognitive error based on 'degenerating research programs'Conspiracy theorists hang onto theories despite the indicators you would expect to see if it were true not being there.
- Conspiracy believers commit 'fatal attribution error'People believe in conspiracies because of fatal attribution error - a psychological instinct.