Recently, in my Asian History class, we discussed Gavin Menzies' book '1421: The Year China Discovered the World'. All of us came to the conclusion that it was bollocks, as deficiencies in scholarship, flawed reasoning and the overall hasty generalizations the author makes. I won't get into too many details anymore. But despite this, it has sold millions of copies around the world. So just what is it about conspiracy theories that compel so many people to believe them, even when presented with the most convincing evidence? Thanks :)
2007-02-20 23:58:15 · 2 answers · asked by archistrategos 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
People see the world that appears to their minds, not some "objective" "reality". To those whose minds are already filled with fear, suspicion and distrust, conspiracy theories seem attractive and credible. Those who believe in their personal lives that the world is against them, or out to get them, or that their lives are governed by "luck", are particularly prone to the conspiracy theory "thinking error".
2007-02-22 04:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by MBK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people tend to believe conspiracy theories because they have some ring of truth to them. In many people's eyes, the theories could possibly be true, even though there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
I think that it points to how these people who believe these tales lead their own personal lives. In their world, truth is relative and facts can be skewed by the presenter.
2007-02-21 06:05:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋