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Conspiracy Beliefs Tied to 'Systemizing' Thinking Style
28 Feb
Summary
- Information processing style, not poor reasoning, links to conspiracy beliefs.
- High 'systemizing' people prefer structured explanations for chaotic events.
- Those seeking patterns resist updating beliefs with new contradictory evidence.
New research indicates that an individual's cognitive style, specifically their tendency to 'systemize,' plays a crucial role in their susceptibility to conspiracy theories. This thinking style is characterized by a strong drive to identify patterns and derive explanations through consistent rules.
Academics led by Flinders University found that individuals with a high preference for structured, rule-based explanations are more drawn to conspiracy theories. These theories can offer a sense of order and coherence, particularly for those who find unpredictable events unsettling.
Even when possessing strong reasoning skills, individuals who systemize intensely may prioritize consistent, ordered explanations. This can lead them to cling to conspiracy beliefs, even when presented with contradictory information, as they are less flexible in updating their established patterns of understanding.
The findings suggest that interventions to counter misinformation should consider diverse thinking styles, moving beyond solely logic-based approaches. Understanding the psychological needs that conspiracy beliefs fulfill is vital for developing effective strategies against their spread.
