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From to , conspiracy beliefs in major institutions or powerful figures.

Research developed shows how conspiracy beliefs can be linked to people's lack of control in their lives, feeling threatened or even workplace bullying.

Conspiracy theories are defined by psychologists as "explanations for important events that involve secret plots by " without any basis in fact. Followers point a finger at groups they think of as powerful, from to minority groups , and blame them for events or societal change.

Conspiracies, where powerful figures secretly plot to undermine something or someone, do exist. The involved a break in at the US Democratic National Committee headquarters by burglars connected to President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign.

The burglars were caught wiretapping phones. Nixon tried to cover up the crimes but in the conspiracy. But the difference here is that there is evidence to back up what happened.

However, conspiracists insist their theories are true even when there is no . Still, conspiracy theories can be persuasive. Millions of British people believe in at least one. It's a .

Psychology of conspiracy theories

Studies in the early 2010s showed how non-pathological factors, such as , are linked to why people turn to conspiracy beliefs. In 2017 psychologist Karen Douglas and colleagues argued the wide appeal of conspiracy theories is their promise to . These include desire for certainty, control and meaning, and to maintain a positive image of yourself and the groups you identify with.

Feelings of increase , such as the COVID-19 pandemic. People want to .

But conspiracy theories that make us reach for them. A 2021 study found conspiracy beliefs . If anything, there is some evidence people's sense of existential threat and anxiety increases when they engage with conspiracy theories.

A less well understood factor is , where a group experiences being harmed by another group.

But researchers are getting closer to finding out why conspiracy theories are adopted by a group of people. It can be linked to lack of trust in institutions or society. Work in 2002 showed discrimination experienced by was associated with their heightened beliefs that HIV is made by humans deliberately. This idea .

Research in 2020 found discrimination experienced by was connected to their conspiracy beliefs about HIV being human-made. Such research underscores the links between in powerful figures found in minority communities.

In a study into how conspiracy beliefs develop, who thought their country historically suffered more than other nations were more likely to be conspiracy theorists. Research with similar study designs have found the same results in and participants.

Linked to bullying

Our was inspired by linking conspiracy theorizing and people's sense they are being victimized. We focused on workplace bullying. Unlike collective discrimination, bullying is , with a power imbalance between the bully and the victim.

Bullied victims report increased . Being bullied seems to increase the of believing in a conspiracy theory.

We . The first study recruited 273 British participants online. We measured participants' past experiences of workplace bullying by asking them report whether they experienced a range of incidents, such a colleague withholding information which affects a co-workers' performance. The more negative acts a participant has suffered, the stronger their tendency to engage in conspiracy theorizing.

Participants who experienced workplace bullying were more likely to report increased paranoia—to wonder what hidden reason another person may have for doing something nice for them.

In the second study, 206 British participants were asked to imagine they had joined a new work place in the last six months. Half were asked to imagine being bullied in the new workplace (for example being shouted at) or being welcomed. Those who were asked to imagine about being bullied reported an increased general belief in conspiracy theories.

Tackling conspiracy beliefs

highlights how conspiracy beliefs can form in response to circumstances that could happen to anyone. When a hostile environment , we may find a conspiracy explanation appealing.

Research has also started to find solutions to the problem. In 2018 one study found giving people a greater feeling of reduced the intensity of conspiracy beliefs. Encouraging people to , which prompts deliberate processing of information, also helps curb the emergence of conspiracy beliefs. Developing these skills in and is essential.

Challenging people's conspiracies are could be effective. For example, one study found giving information to UK parents with anti-vaccine beliefs about other UK parents who did vaccinate their children reduced conspiracy beliefs.

We do not know what tools will work outside of the lab. , which has been shown to help people feel more secure, could be a promising place to start. And considering the , we can't afford not to try.

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