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conspiracy theories

·September 7, 2023·4 min read

Truth Relativism and its Ties to Conspiracy Theory Beliefs

Researchers explored the link between the belief that truth is relative and susceptibility to conspiracy theories. Two studies, involving Swedes and Brits, evaluated participants’ perspectives on truth and their responses to conspiracy theories and nonsensical sentences.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 29, 2023·5 min read

The Language of Lies: How Hate Speech Engages Our Neural Wiring to Foster Division

Researchers analyze the language of dictators and hate groups, uncovering a common use of dehumanizing metaphors to fuel hatred. Such metaphors 'switch on' neural pathways in the brain, bypassing higher cognitive reasoning centers and steering focus towards certain ideas.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2023·4 min read

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theorists: More Than Just Paranoia

A new study delves into the intricate psyche of conspiracy theorists, attributing their beliefs to a mixture of personality traits and motivations. The study suggests conspiracy theorists are not necessarily 'mentally unwell', but often resort to conspiracy theories to fulfill unmet needs and rationalize distress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 13, 2022·6 min read

Cognitive Biases and Brain Biology Help Explain Why Facts Don’t Change Minds

Our worldview forms during childhood as a result of our socialization within a particular cultural context. Our views get reinforced over time by the social groups we keep, the media we consume, and even the way in which our brains are wired. Challenging our worldviews with facts can feel like an attack on our personal identities and can often result in hardening our positions. Researchers assess how we can open our minds and explore facts that may go against our personal worldviews.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 25, 2022·2 min read

Stress Increases Beliefs That Underlie Disorders and Conspiracy Theories

Study examines why conspiracy theories and psychiatric disorders historically tend to peak during periods of social crisis and stress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 10, 2022·6 min read

Buying Into Conspiracy Theories Can Be Exciting – That’s What Makes Them Dangerous

Conspiracy theories aren't just appealing because of the alternative "information" they provide, they also evoke emotional responses that can be detrimental.

This shows a woman looking at a laptop. She is wearing a facemask

Featured Psychology

·June 7, 2022·4 min read

COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Associated With Depression

People who believe conspiracies about COVD-19, including vitamins can cure coronavirus, or that governments are using the virus and vaccines to control the population, are more prone to developing depression and anxiety.

This shows a woman looking at a computer with the words "fake news" written on it

Featured Psychology

·November 6, 2021·4 min read

The Role of Personality in Sharing of Fake News

Study reveals those who score low in the personality trait of conscientiousness are more likely to share misinformation or fake news.

This shows a woman in a facemask in a dark room, looking at a laptop

Featured Psychology

·November 1, 2021·2 min read

How Conspiracy Theorists Exploited COVID-19 Science

Researchers say those who create and spread conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are using the provisional nature of science to paint scientists as "malignant actors" and discredit findings.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 2, 2021·7 min read

The Neurobiology of Memes and Conspiracy Theories

The propensity to believe in conspiracy theories may be a result of genetic determination, cognitive capacity, and affective reactions. Researchers found the representation of memes acts as neural network attractor states in the brain, linking them with the formation of conspiracy theories.

This shows a woman with a faskmask with the word protest written on it

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 30, 2021·4 min read

COVID Non-Compliers Are Less Open to New Ideas, More Extroverted and Driven by Self Interest

Those who flout COVID recommendations are less agreeable, have lower intellect and tend to be more extroverted than those who adhere to recommendations. COVID non-conformists also prioritize self-interest and personal freedom and show greater tolerance for social deviance, a new study reports.

This is a cartoon of a man in a facemask

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2021·3 min read

Paranoia Is Another Byproduct of the Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has sparked an increase of people reporting feelings of paranoia, especially in states where there is low adherence to mask mandates. Researchers report paranoia was associated with an increased acceptance of conspiracy theories, including believing anti-vaccine information and Q-Anon conspiracies.

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conspiracy theories

Truth Relativism and its Ties to Conspiracy Theory Beliefs

The Language of Lies: How Hate Speech Engages Our Neural Wiring to Foster Division

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theorists: More Than Just Paranoia

Stress Increases Beliefs That Underlie Disorders and Conspiracy Theories

Buying Into Conspiracy Theories Can Be Exciting – That’s What Makes Them Dangerous

COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Associated With Depression

The Role of Personality in Sharing of Fake News

How Conspiracy Theorists Exploited COVID-19 Science

The Neurobiology of Memes and Conspiracy Theories

COVID Non-Compliers Are Less Open to New Ideas, More Extroverted and Driven by Self Interest

Paranoia Is Another Byproduct of the Pandemic

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