Why life's hardships may make conspiracy theories more appealing

A study involving over 1,200 participants from the University of Nottingham's School of Psychology and the University of Cumbria reveals a link between life's hardships and the belief in conspiracy theories. Researchers discovered that people who have experienced a greater number of adverse life events, such as illness, bereavement, financial struggles, relationship breakdowns, and violence, are more likely to perceive the world as unjust.

This sense of injustice, in turn, correlates with stronger beliefs in conspiracy theories, even when accounting for demographic factors. The impact of violent victimization on conspiracy beliefs was also identified, with those who have experienced such crimes showing even stronger perceptions of injustice and conspiracy beliefs.

Additionally, experimentally increasing the perception of societal unfairness led to higher endorsement of conspiracy beliefs. Dr. Daniel Jolley, the lead author, explained that while hardship alone doesn't determine susceptibility to conspiracy theories, the way individuals view the world's fairness plays a crucial role. When adversity leads people to feel that the world is fundamentally unjust, conspiracy theories may become more appealing as they offer explanations for that perceived injustice.

Dr. Laura Blackie, co-author, noted that perceptions of unfairness in society may be a detrimental outcome of adversity, potentially affecting receptivity to conspiracy beliefs and trust in institutions. The study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, highlights a potential pathway through which adversity shapes societal views, though it does not establish causality.