Conspiracy Theories and Anxiety in Culture: Why Is Threat-Related Misinformation an Evolved Product of our Ability to Mobilize Sources in the Face of Un-represented Threat?

Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F62690094%3A18460%2F24%3A50020807" target="_blank" >RIV/62690094:18460/24:50020807 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00483931231210335" target="_blank" >https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00483931231210335</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00483931231210335" target="_blank" >10.1177/00483931231210335</a>

Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Conspiracy Theories and Anxiety in Culture: Why Is Threat-Related Misinformation an Evolved Product of our Ability to Mobilize Sources in the Face of Un-represented Threat?
Original language description
Conspiracy theories, often perceived as an epistemic phenomenon, consistently exhibit recurring themes or “tropes,” hinting at a socially adaptive origin. This paper proposes that the proclivity to conspiracy theories is rooted in our evolved capacity to communicate warnings about unrepresented threats, a fusion of threat-detection psychology and error management theory. Importantly, the most compelling conspiracy theories typically conform to these identifiable tropes, which are marked by their evolutionary validity. These tropes are particularly appealing as they consist of cues that align with our evolved cognitive structures. The proclivity for conspiracy theories intensifies during periods of social instability, positioning conspiracy theories as a symptom, rather than a cause, of societal unrest. This perspective emphasizes that the tendency towards conspiracy theories is an evolutionary response to perceived threats and coalition-building, rather than a flaw in reasoning. Consequently, efforts to mitigate the spread of conspiracy theories should prioritize strengthening democratic institutions and reducing societal instability, rather than enforcing media restrictions.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
60301 - Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

Publication year
2024
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

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