The psychology of conspiracy theories
Douglas, Sutton and Cichocka, Current Directions in Psychological Science 26(6), 2017, 538-542. Belief in conspiracy theories appears to be driven by three kinds of motive: epistemic (understanding one's environment), existential (feeling safe and in control) and social (maintaining a positive image of self and group). Research on whether belief satisfies these motives is limited and more work is needed on for whom and under what conditions it does.
Douglas, Sutton and Cichocka, Current Directions in Psychological Science 26(6), 2017, 538-542. Belief in conspiracy theories appears to be driven by three kinds of motive: epistemic (understanding one's environment), existential (feeling safe and in control) and social (maintaining a positive image of self and group). Research on whether belief satisfies these motives is limited and more work is needed on for whom and under what conditions it does.
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Douglas, K. M., Sutton, R. M., & Cichocka, A. (2017). The psychology of conspiracy theories. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(6), 538-542. doi:10.1177/0963721417718261 https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721417718261