If you believe in conspiracy theories, experts say you have these three common traits

Though the current state of politics and media has fueled the spread of conspiracy theories in U.S. society—especially through social media—they’ve always been part of the cultural landscape.

Before diving deeper, let’s consider the dictionary definition of conspiracy. According to Merriam-Webster, a conspiracy is “the act of conspiring together.” A conspiracy theory, then, is the belief that such a plot among individuals has taken place.

In famous cases like Watergate, early believers were dismissed as ridiculous conspiracy theorists—until the truth came out and the full scope of the scandal was revealed.

Doesn’t everyone believe in at least a few conspiracy theories?

You might even believe a few conspiracy theories yourself. Recently, the case of convicted pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced after the Trump administration announced it would not release any further information about his case.

For years, people across the political spectrum have known about the horrific crimes he committed and his connections to some of the world’s most powerful figures. The media’s silence and the ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the case have led many to believe there’s more to the story than the public has been told.

With the U.S. Justice Department confirming it is aware of at least 1,000 victims, the government’s lack of action has fueled suspicions and deepened concerns that something is being deliberately hidden.

There have been cases where government actions, initially denied or covered up, were later revealed to be true—often after attempts to discredit those who suspected them. Two notable examples are the CIA’s MKUltra program and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

MKUltra, launched in 1953, was a covert CIA project involving illegal human experimentation. Its goal was to develop mind control techniques using drugs like LSD, hypnosis, and psychological torture. Many subjects were experimented on without their consent, and the program operated through front organizations at over 80 institutions. It was exposed in 1975 through congressional investigations, despite efforts to destroy records.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972, involved observing the progression of untreated syphilis in Black men in Alabama. Participants were misled and denied treatment—even after penicillin became widely available. The study ended only after public outcry, and it led to major reforms in research ethics.

These examples show how the power to define “truth” often lies with the State, which can enforce narratives not grounded in history, research, or science—but in authority. When this power is abused, it breeds conspiratorial thinking. And in a society steeped in distrust, the market for “snake oil” thrives.

Distrust, close-mindedness, and a sense of superiority...

The danger arises when a grand theory is built on a lack of available information—often flattening and oversimplifying the people involved and their motivations. This becomes even more concerning when belief in conspiracies leads individuals to reject the credibility of more reliable sources of information altogether.

Recently, researchers from Emory University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Regina explored this aspect of conspiratorial thinking. They aimed to identify common traits among those most likely to believe theories involving secretive groups acting in their own interest at the expense of the public.

The research team analyzed around 170 studies and found that people prone to conspiratorial thinking tended to share three key traits. The first was a heightened perception of threat and danger. This manifested in various ways, often involving a loss of personal meaning or exposure to information that challenged deeply held beliefs. This tendency was also linked to a belief that the world is unsafe and unstable, fostering a pessimistic outlook and feelings of powerlessness. The authors write that the research indicates “conspiracy theories may appeal to those scoring high on existential threat, as individuals are deprived of a sense of security and power.” The theories are narratives that, though unsettling in how they construct the reality in which one lives, are nevertheless tools to cope with the insecurity they feel.

An isolated mind can invest its own reality

The second tendency identified was broader and related to individuals who rely heavily on intuition and hold “odd beliefs.” According to the study: “Epistemic motives pertaining to more reliance on intuition, having odd beliefs and seeing patterns in their absence, anthropomorphizing, low open-mindedness, and more intolerance of ambiguity were medium-to-large correlates of conspiratorial ideation.”

In other words, individuals who hold dogmatic views and are unwilling to consider information outside of what they trust are more likely to engage in conspiratorial thinking. The idea that “odd beliefs” lead to conspiratorial ideation may feel somewhat circular—a chicken-or-the-egg problem—but the key takeaway is that a lack of openness to new information and a deep distrust of perceived falsehoods are critical factors.

As mentioned earlier, there are likely conspiracy theories that you, the reader, believe. And if you assume the government never lies, obscures facts, or covers up events that benefit a select few over the public good, history offers plenty of counterexamples. However, research must be substantiated—not just a collection of isolated facts stitched together through tautological reasoning.

The confidence created by conspirasism

The third tendency centers on individuals who exhibit antagonism and a sense of superiority—perhaps emboldened by the belief that they know something others don’t. This behavior can be reinforced when communities form around conspiracy theories.

In the Netflix documentary Behind the Curve, various believers in the flat Earth theory are interviewed. Even when their experiments disproved their claims, the sense of camaraderie and community gave them the confidence to continue believing. The film also revealed that, for some, the appeal wasn’t the theory itself but the friendships and sense of belonging it offered—a poignant reflection of the loneliness and isolation many people experience.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.