All conspiracy theories originate from the same source: a belief in something. However, a belief "in" something greatly contradicts a belief "that" something exists. A belief is a cognitive representation of the nature of reality, however, a belief "in" something lacks evidence to prove its validity. This, for example, includes not only conspiracy theories, but also various religious faiths. However, there is also a difference between conspiracy theories and "positive illusions," in that positive illusions are false beliefs, such as extreme optimism regarding the future. Positive illusions are typically short term solutions that are normal and healthy for individuals to practice and, in fact, most individuals do practice.
The belief in something stems from various sources, for example, political leaders, social media, newspapers, advertisements, and our own ancestry. Due to the natural competition that forms between opposing political groups, conspiracy theories are built on the basis of pure distrust. Additionally, when thinking back to the way our ancestors lived, thinking skeptically and creating conspiracies regarding threatening groups or groups of higher power was not only preparation for multiple scenarios, but it was also the safest option.
Conspiracy theorists have a unique thinking process of their own. The mind of a conspiracy theorist is likely to form patterns that do not exist and infer relationships between unrelated events. However, why do some people think in such out-of-the-box manners while others do not? Conspiracy theorists are driven by a multitude of emotions such as anxiety, denial, uncertainty, and the desire to "fit in."
However, the biggest reason for the formation of a conspiracy theory is an individual feeling a complete lack of control. Thus, forming a conspiracy theory is a coping mechanism to handle problems or situations that feel too large to overcome or fathom.
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