Delusions, Delusion-Like Beliefs, and Conspiracy Theories

How to use information about delusions and disorders of rigid thinking to understand the attraction of conspiracy theories and how to reduce their power.

It seems like every time you watch the news you hear about a new ‘conspiracy theory’. So, what makes them captivating to so many people? And how can you combat the powerful hold they have over your loved ones?

Why Do Some People Believe Conspiracy Theories

There are three main things that intertwine to affect our ability to critically evaluate conspiracy theories: rigid thinking, the ability to consider alternative hypotheses, and heuristics which lead to logical fallacies.

Rigid thinking is the inability to change your mind despite new or opposing information. Cognitive flexibility or the ability to consider alternative hypotheses is a key component that helps us evaluate a broad spectrum of information to help us accurately decipher what is true and what is false.

Heuristics are ‘mental shortcuts’ we use to simplify the world around us. This is an evolutionary trait that allows us to quickly come to reasonable conclusions or solutions to complex problems. While there are many types of heuristics we use on a daily basis, one example of a heuristic is looking at restaurant reviews and deciding to eat at a restaurant that has a high overall rating. With many restaurant options to choose from, this helps us to make an easy and practical decision without a lot of brain power. While they can often help us make a quick and somewhat informed decision, they can also lead to errors. For example, in the case of using reviews to find the ‘best’ restaurant, you may miss a new restaurant or a small family-owned restaurant with only a few reviews. Luckily, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to picking out a restaurant, but in other cases, there could be serious consequences.

Logical fallacies are flaws in our reasoning that lead us to an incorrect conclusion. Confirmation bias is a common logical fallacy that leads us to only listen to information that supports our beliefs and to disregard information that conflicts with our beliefs. Another type of fallacy often connected to conspiracy theories is the bandwagon fallacy where people believe what those around them believe.

Conspiracy theories pull people who are fairly functional and take advantage of a heuristic or logical fallacy. These theories bring together a group of people supported by a leader. This is where we often see the authority fallacy can come into play “if my trusted leader believes it, it must be true”.

Disorders of Rigid Thought

The rigid thought process that leads many people to believe in conspiracy theories is similar to that experienced by individuals with some psychiatric disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and paranoid personality disorder. Conspiracy theorists often have several characteristics that are related to rigid thought, including:

  • Narcissism
  • Poor critical thinking skills
  • Intellectual certainty
  • Reduced inquisitiveness
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Lack of intellectual humility

On the other end of the spectrum is normal fear or caution that leads us to lock our doors at night to keep ourselves safe. The differentiator is that those with normal fear are able to consider alternative hypotheses and adjust their thinking as they are presented with new information.

Delusions vs. Conspiracy Theories

As a forensic psychiatrist, I’ve found that there are a number of overlapping factors between mental illnesses that cause delusions and the susceptibility to believing conspiracy theories without evaluating them critically.

Delusions are developed internally and are generally not believed by others besides the individual who has created the delusion. Conspiracy theories however are typically created externally and are believed by a group of individuals.

Conspiracy theories are usually preceded by distrust in the subject of the conspiracy and have a paranoid quality that the subject is doing something bad and is against the conspiracy theorist in some way.

Why Are People Drawn to Conspiracy Theories

In addition to having characteristics related to rigid thinking, conspiracy theorists have three main qualities that make conspiracy theories particularly beguiling:

  • Epistemic – Crave knowledge and have a strong need to know what is going on.
  • Existential – A strong desire for safety and security. Conspiracy theories help define a particular fear and put limits around it to make the unknown more easily understandable.
  • Social – Strong need to feel part of a group and affirm their self-esteem through connection.

People are also often drawn to conspiracy theories because they give them a rush of excitement that they have special knowledge.

Strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of conspiracy theories

Each of us can help limit the power of conspiracy theories. Here are some helpful ways you can engage with those who have conspiracy theories:

  1. Hearing other people’s ideas.
  2. Avoid saying that their conspiracy theory is wrong. Instead, make a point of letting the person know that you don’t see it that way to gently push them outside of their echo chamber. Not endorsing their conspiracy will gently push them out of their echo chamber.
  3. Suggest that they consider other sources of information.
  4. Encourage interactions with diverse views.
  5. Identify respected leaders and encourage them to push against conspiracy theories.
  6. Encourage the teaching of critical thinking, intellectual inquisitiveness, and intellectual humility.
  7. Encourage responsible use of social media.
  8. Develop rules for social media that encourage intellectual honesty.
  9. Recognize that devaluing people who believe in conspiracy theories pushes them into their echo chambers.

To learn more about how to Navigate the World Through a Psychiatric Lens, join Dr. Stephen Manlove at the Rapid City Public Library for our upcoming talks: