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conspiracy theories

·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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 17, 2021·4 min read

‘Deprogramming’ Qanon Followers Ignores Free Will and Why They Adopted the Beliefs in the First Place

Researchers warn that "deprogramming" beliefs of those who believe in outlandish conspiracy theories may be detrimentally harmful. Instead, they suggest a more cautious approach, such as listening to their concerns and problems, may prove to be a better option.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 16, 2021·6 min read

Doomscrolling: Why We Do It, and How We Can Stop

People are reporting an uptick in personal "doomscrolling" activities online. Marked by consuming excessive amounts of negative content during one sitting, doomscrolling may be linked to anxiety. Researchers provide suggestions about how people can halt doomscrolling activities.

This is a cartoon of a man looking at a cell phone with his head split open. Inside his head are images of COVID, the words "Fake News" and vaccines

Featured Psychology

·April 1, 2021·4 min read