What makes some people lean toward conspiracy theories while others reject them? A recent study published in Personality and Individual Differences examines how trait anger—the tendency to get angry frequently and intensely—may make people more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.
The findings highlight an interesting relationship between emotions, perceptions of “evil intent,” and belief in both mild and extreme conspiracies.
Understanding conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories offer alternative explanations for events, often claiming that powerful groups operate in secret to manipulate outcomes for personal gain, sometimes at the expense of the greater good. From beliefs in government cover-ups to corporate malfeasance, conspiracy theories provide seemingly simple explanations for complex and disturbing realities.
Not all of these theories are the same, as some imply relatively benign intentions – such as the claim that the Earth is flat – while others suggest deeply evil motives, such as orchestrating tragic events for power or profit. However, what psychological factors lead individuals to believe more in these theories?
The role of anger
Eddie Harmon-Jones and his team sought to find out how anger affects conspiracy belief; where they divided conspiracy theories into two categories: theories involving low evil intent (such as concealing the truth about extraterrestrial life) and those involving high evil intent (such as orchestrating a global pandemic for financial gain). Their research examined whether anger increases belief in conspiracies, regardless of the perceived level of malevolence.
The main conclusions
The researchers conducted two online studies with more than 275 participants, examining their belief in 24 conspiracy theories. Both low evil and high evil versions were presented for each theory. Participants also filled out questionnaires assessing anger, humility, intellectual humility, life satisfaction, and general conspiracy mentality — the tendency to suspect that important events are orchestrated by secret groups. Key findings include-
- Anger breeds faith: Participants higher in trait anger were more likely to believe in both low and high evil conspiracy theories.
- Theories of high evil are more polarizing: While participants perceived the high-evil conspiracy theories as more harmful, they were less likely to believe them compared to the low-evil versions.
- Demographic differences: Younger people and people with lower levels of education were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, especially those involving low levels of malicious intent.
Why anger matters
Anger is often triggered by perceived injustice or wrongdoing, emotions that conspiracy theories exploit. Believing that the secret group is causing harm can validate feelings of anger and give it an outlet. The study suggested that angry people may be particularly receptive to theories of high evil because these narratives resonate with their emotional state.
The complexity of the conspiracy mentality
Besides anger, the study identified “conspiracy mentality” as the strongest predictor of belief. This thinking reflects a general tendency to assume hidden agendas for significant events, even without evidence. Interestingly, those who believed in low evil theories were also more likely to believe in high evil theories, reinforcing the idea that a general distrust of authority is at the heart of conspiracy thinking.
Takeaway
The study sheds light on how emotions and perceptions of evil influence belief in conspiracy theories, and highlights the need for further research with larger and more diverse populations to better understand these dynamics. For now, the findings underscore an important conclusion: Addressing conspiracy beliefs may require more than simply debunking false information.
This can include dealing with deep-seated emotions such as anger and developing trust in institutions, transparency and critical thinking. As society becomes more polarized and misinformation spreads more easily, understanding what drives belief in conspiracy theories can help foster empathy and constructive dialogue.
If you’re skeptical or curious about conspiracies, this study offers valuable insight into how emotions and worldviews shape how we see the truth.
Link to the study:
A study called “Belief in malicious conspiracy theories: Correlations with anger and other traits.”, conducted by researchers Eddie Harmon-Jones, Kinga Szymaniak, Gabriel Seban, and Cindy Harmon-Jones.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
