MYTH OF THE CONSPIRACY 'SPIRAL'

A new study challenges the idea of a cyclical link between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs

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A lot of research has been dedicated to understanding what makes people believe in conspiracies and how they might be able to climb out of the rabbit hole again.

Conspiracies do happen. The Watergate scandal in the 1970s, which led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon, is arguably the most infamous example. The questioning of authority and the official narrative is something that should be encouraged.

But some people believe conspiracy theories that are contrary to evidence. Recent research found 8.9 per cent of New Zealand participants and 10.1 per cent of Australian participants agreed with the (false) claim fluoride is being intentionally added to the water supply by the government to make people less intelligent and easier to control.

One prominent theory is that conspiracy beliefs are linked to psychological distress such as anxiety and depression.

A recent research conducted by experts at the Te Kunenga ki P rehuroa, Massey University, explores the causal relationship - whether psychological distress actually makes people more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. And researchers found very limited evidence for a link between elevated distress and conspiracy beliefs.