Jul 30, 2025 07:19 PM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1092818
INTRO: A five-year study dispels the stereotype of conspiracy theorists as angry loners or keyboard warriors. Rather, social and emotional connections provided by conspiracy theorists are recruiting diverse participants on a growing scale.
The researchers, from the University of Bath’s School of Management and Trinity College Dublin, followed individuals on the cusp of becoming conspiracy theorists to understand how people become involved in fringe ideas. They joined closed groups in online social networks, and attended public meetings, conferences and protests.
“We were initially apprehensive about approaching groups often depicted as delusional, dangerous and angry,” said Dr Tim Hill. “In practice, when we went to events, we found people were welcoming, inquisitive, and enthusiastic. This social quality of these contexts became key to our findings.”
The researchers say they hope the study will reshape discussions of how people become involved in conspiracy theories, moving away from ideas that belief in conspiracy theory is motivated by personality or irrational thinking alone. By understanding troubling life circumstances and people’s subsequent search for solutions and support, this study helps to explain how and why conspiracy theories are growing.
The research, published in the journal Sociology, took place in two stages... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: A five-year study dispels the stereotype of conspiracy theorists as angry loners or keyboard warriors. Rather, social and emotional connections provided by conspiracy theorists are recruiting diverse participants on a growing scale.
The researchers, from the University of Bath’s School of Management and Trinity College Dublin, followed individuals on the cusp of becoming conspiracy theorists to understand how people become involved in fringe ideas. They joined closed groups in online social networks, and attended public meetings, conferences and protests.
“We were initially apprehensive about approaching groups often depicted as delusional, dangerous and angry,” said Dr Tim Hill. “In practice, when we went to events, we found people were welcoming, inquisitive, and enthusiastic. This social quality of these contexts became key to our findings.”
The researchers say they hope the study will reshape discussions of how people become involved in conspiracy theories, moving away from ideas that belief in conspiracy theory is motivated by personality or irrational thinking alone. By understanding troubling life circumstances and people’s subsequent search for solutions and support, this study helps to explain how and why conspiracy theories are growing.
The research, published in the journal Sociology, took place in two stages... (MORE - details, no ads)