Why conspiracy theories polarize and radicalize people? by Jan-Willem van Prooijen

Belief in conspiracy theories is commonly associated with societal polarization and radicalization. Conspiracy theories predict rejecting scientific evidence (e.g., about climate change or vaccines), which may culminate in hostility towards public figures and violent protest. Geo-political conflict sometimes also is associated with conspiracy beliefs; for instance, allegations that the Ukrainian government was a regime of “Nazis” that committed genocide on citizens was part of Putin’s rhetoric leading up to the Russian invasion in 2022. Why do conspiracy theories polarize and radicalize people? In the current presentation, I propose that by demonizing other groups, conspiracy theories serve identity needs and make people feel good about their own group; moreover, conspiracy theories provide a warning signal that other groups try to harm them. Jointly, these processes increase the divide between groups and contribute to hostility, and occasionally even violence.