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Joe Martin
Professor Frailly
HUM 220-2W1
26 February 2014
Psychological Explanations of Conspiracy Theories
In researching the topic of conspiracy theories, it has become evident that a substantial
amount of research already exists. However, much of it is published either by conspiracy
theorists themselves (explaining every minute detail or piece of evidence about the theory) or
their opponents. These articles get into specific details about specific theories, which are
sometimes important to discuss, but not necessarily my intended topic for discussion. The goal of
this research project is to examine how conspiracy theories are developed, how they affect us
psychologically (especially the conspiracy archetypes that are more susceptible to believing
them), and how the conspiracy theories later affect political discourse. Significant research exists
behind the psychological reasoning for the creation and distribution of conspiracy theories
(although, not in the desired quantity). In fact, when discussing conspiracy theories from an
objective viewpoint, one finds that subject of psychology is always explicitly or implicitly
present, generally stimulating discussion about the adoption of conspiracies, and, sometimes,
causing a change in political perspectives.
Sander van der Lindens article What a Hoax was published in the September/October
2013 issue of Scientific American Mind. Van der Linden has published several other articles in
scientific journals, all pertaining to psychology. In this specific article, he discusses potential
psychological reasons as to why people may believe in conspiracies. In doing so, he also reveals
various reasons why one would continually use conspiracy in political argument (generally, to
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disguise the fact that they have little applicable political knowledge). In essence, van der
Lindens thesis states that conspiracy theories diminish public engagement, eroding interest in
[politics].
The credibility of van der Lindens writing stems from the fact that it is not political.
Many articles that discuss political conspiracy theories tend to be biased towards one political
party, used for degradation of another. Van der Linden, however, discusses politics (specifically
conspiratorial politics and conspiracy theories) from a psychological viewpoint. Going through
all sources present, this provides one of the best psychological discussions about conspiracy
theorists and their ideas, as well as a discussion about how the psychological elements present in
conspiracies affect political discussion and opinions.
In the January 2013 issue of Psychologist, Daniel Jolley asks the question Are
Conspiracy Theories Just Harmless Fun. Jolley answers this question by, first, defining what
conspiracy is, and then by briefly touching upon demographics associated with believing
conspiracies. Some of the most interesting information provided, and some of the most relevant
and useful information to this project would be the archetypes provided. Discussion occurs about
people being more influenced by a new conspiracy theory if they believe in or have previously
believed in another. The article ends with him finally discussing whether or not they are harmful
to society. In doing so, Jolley mentions that conspiracy theorists often have negative attitudes,
which may relate to my psychological discussion of archetypes, or even a possible stereotype,
associated with conspiracy theorists, which actually helps to bring up conversation about how
people acquire their beliefs.
The article Thirty Shades of Truth (actually peer reviewed by Daniel Jolley) is one of
the few existing articles available that was able to provide statistics from an actual study about
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beliefs in conspiracy theories. Published in Frontiers in Psychology on July 1, 2013, the article
describes research that was carried out through a questionnaire, meant to test whether or not self-
efficacy had anything to do with the conspiratorial archetype. The researchers hypothesize that
it is individual belief and not a paranoid, delusional demographic that is responsible for causing
beliefs in conspiracies. This may provide somewhat of a contrasting viewpoint to the present
discussion about a conspiracy theorist archetype, but would also bring up discussion about the
difficulties in conducting actual research about this subject. Additionally, Daniel Jolleys article
brings up the fact that research about conspiracy theories/ theorists is mainly correlation based,
which makes the actual process of research difficult and more analytical. This would contribute
to my discussion of whether or not we are able to analyze conspiracies effectively from a
psychological point of view.
Unlike many of the other sources listed, this article describes an actual scientific
experiment, conducted with the purpose of further explaining conspiracy theories. Although the
study is inconclusive, there is a good portion of analytical work that is used to provide a
background to the study. Most notably, this article raises the question about a possible link
between mythology and conspiracy, which makes it much more relatable to my personal research
and provides my discussion with more credibility.
Patriocracy, directed by Brian Malone and released in 2011, is a documentary about our
current political system, in which severe polarization and radicalization exist. The films main
claim is that this schism occurred as news stations became entertainment channels, providing and
pushing political thoughts about news stories for entertainment purposes; all while being
misinterpreted as news by the viewer. As a newer film (released during the current Presidential
administration), the subject matter is still very relevant.
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Being politically oriented, one might expect such a film to be biased towards one political
party (a subject within the film itself). However, the material presented is nonpartisan and has
much less to do with deciding which political message is less radical and more to do with
informing people about the news industry and how manipulative it is. Similarly, the film
provides interviews with a wide variety of politicians, from the past and present and from both
major political parties, discussing the same issue. Although this film does not explicitly discuss
conspiracy theories, it relates to all of the main topics in my research, providing explanations
about how conspiracies are developed and spread (through the media), how they affect us
psychologically (causing skepticism and hatred towards rival political parties), and how they
affect political discourse (as many politicians now accept conspiracies and use them as casually
as voters). Additionally, the film provides a look into our suffering political culture, which is
imperative to my own research because it provides me with a purpose in conducting it.
Directly speaking about conspiracy, one may read material from van der Linden or Jolley
to see exactly how theories form and spread. However, one aspect, which is touched upon in
Patriocracy, is the lack of ethics in the presentation of facts. Steven and Susan Beebes text book
Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach is a valuable resource in researching and
discussing the ethics of public speech. Although much of the text focuses on writing a speech,
nerve-calming techniques, types of speeches, etc., there is a lot of focus on ethics, including how
to deliver a speech without using fallacies and conducting research properly. This would benefit
my project because it explains how messages may be misinterpreted in politics and how political
speeches may be unethical and lead to the spread of a particular theory. Like Patriocracy, this
book does not explicitly focus on conspiracies or psychology, but is meant to stimulate
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conversation about the psychological uptake of theories through the misinterpretation of a
speech.
Dr. Glenn D. Walters, an experienced psychologist who has published over 200 articles
and books and spent his career working as a clinical psychologist for the Federal Bureau of
Prisons and in education, wrote the article Understanding the Popular Appeal of Horror Cinema:
An Integrated-Interactive Model in 2004. In the article, Walters defines the various components
that exist in horror films and discusses eight popular theories as to why people enjoy the horror
genre.
Much of the subject matter in this piece relates heavily to curriculum taught in
psychology class. In fact, two of the theories provided come from Carl Jungs discussion of the
collective unconscious and from Sigmund Freuds discussion of the ego. This source, like many
others, does not contain any discussion related to conspiracy theories, or even to politics, but the
theories discussed seem to be relatable to the subject, providing more psychological analysis of
the conspiratorial archetype. Walters article relates to my own research because it explains why
there is an appeal in learning about and believing in conspiracies, while also providing
explanations for the adoption of conspiracy. The discussion of the horror genre also allows for
more discussion about the relation of mythology to conspiracy theories.
Joseph Campbells analysis of universal mythology The Hero with a Thousand Faces
was published in 1949. The book mainly contains comparisons and analyses of various myths,
seen in different cultures. One might say that the main claim made in the novel is that
commonalities in heroic archetypes and situations in mythology are derived from similarities of
emotion across cultures.
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As stated before, this novel was published in 1949. Being so old, one could argue that the
material found in it is outdated. However, much of the psychological discussion is derived from
Jung and Freud, who are still relevant in the subject of psychology today. It would also be
inappropriate to discount the authors credentials. The Hero with a Thousand Faces is just one
novel Campbell has written on the subject of mythology. Again, the main idea of the book does
not necessarily relate to the topic of conspiracy theory, but the book relates in defining
universalities in various cultures and in defining the conspiratorial archetype. This would benefit
my research, again, in the discussion about why conspiracies develop and spread and provide
very relevant quotes to my project.
Although many of the sources presented here tend to focus upon the psychological aspect
of conspiracy theories, it seems imperative to discuss actual conspiracies, for no other reason
than to give a brief example of what a conspiracy theory could be. Fortunately, the New German
Critique published an article in 2008, Outrageous Conspiracy, which discusses the terrorist
attacks on September 11
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and the extent to which people participated in the truth movement.
Through this one example, author Peter Knight is able to describe the urban legends associated
with the attack, really just to show how intensive and thorough these theories can be.
Unlike any other sources available, this article directly provides concrete examples of the
social implications of conspiracy theories. Knight spends a lot of time discussing the truth
movement, the effects of social media upon it, and the resulting skepticism and criticism of both
Mission Iraqi Freedom and the Bush administration. This article gives real-world context to
much of the analytical work available, like that done by Daniel Jolley. As stated before, the
intent of this project is not to prove or disprove specific theories. However, this article provides
insight about how much these theories develop and, later, how they affect political discussion.
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It is clear from the above research that conspiracy theories have become commonplace, to
a degree, in our society and political system. Although my research project is not necessarily
intended to be persuasive, it is important for the reader to come away knowing the significance
of our current political situation and be able to analyze and understand their own beliefs.
Understanding ones own beliefs is not limited to the subject matter of the belief and simply
comparing it to that of another belief. To truly understand the validity of a belief, one must be
aware of how they inherited it and how it affects their political perspectives. Through this, we
understand that the study of psychology is imperative and always present as we discuss the
various reasons people may adopt conspiracy theories as truth and apply them to political
conversation.

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Works Cited
Beebe, Steven A., and Susan J. Beebe. Public Speaking: An Audience-centered Approach.
Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon, 2012. Print.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 1973. Print.
Jolley, Daniel. "Are Conspiracy Theories Just Harmless Fun?." Psychologist 26.1 (2013): 60-62.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.
Knight, Peter. "Outrageous Conspiracy Theories: Popular And Official Responses To 9/11 In
Germany And The United States." New German Critique 103 (2008): 165-193. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Patriocracy. Dir. Brian Malone. Malone Media Group, 2011. Netflix.
Raab, Marius H., et al. "Thirty Shades Of Truth: Conspiracy Theories As Stories Of
Individuation, Not Of Pathological Delusion." Frontiers In Psychology 4.(2013): 1-9.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
van der Linden, Sander. "What A Hoax." Scientific American Mind 24.4 (2013): 40-43.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.
Walter, Glenn D. (2004). Understanding the Popular Appeal of Horror Cinema: An Integrated-
Interactive Model. Retrieved from:
http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/sfischo/horrormoviesRev2.htm