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Are Conspiracy Theories Fueled By Spite?
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Staffordshire and the University of Birmingham has shed new light on the motivations behind conspiracy theories. According to their findings, spitefulness plays a significant role in driving individuals to believe and spread such theories.
The study, which involved three experiments with over 1,000 participants, aimed to investigate how spitefulness interacts with existing drivers of conspiracy thinking, including epistemic motives (a need to understand the world), existential motives (a need for security), and social motives (a need for social significance).
Interestingly, the research found a strong correlation between higher levels of spite and a stronger belief in conspiracy theories. Moreover, this study revealed that spite actually causes individuals who possess these three established predictors to believe in such theories.
Lead researcher Dr. David Gordon notes, “Spiteful psychological motives tend to emerge when people feel at a competitive disadvantage, often when we feel uncertain, threatened or undervalued.” He explains that this desire to ‘level the playing field’ by trying to knock someone else down can manifest as rejecting expert opinion and scientific consensus.
The findings of this study have significant implications for developing effective strategies to counter conspiracy theories. The researchers suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be sufficient, but rather, addressing the underlying social and political conditions that foster feelings of disenfranchisement, precariousness, and competition is crucial. This includes factors such as financial insecurity and inequality.
Moreover, this study implies that those sharing conspiracy theories might not necessarily believe in their validity; instead, they may simply be trying to cause harm and distress.
In conclusion, the study highlights a critical new factor driving the proliferation of conspiracy theories: spitefulness.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2025/03/04/are-conspiracy-theories-fueled-by-spite/
