Some famous conspiracy theories rely on anti-Semitic tropes, such as the attacks being orchestrated by Israel. Conspiracy theorists have a variety of much more complex explanations for what happened at the World Trade Center and Pentagon that day, often involving insider knowledge by President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and top Bush advisors. 11, 2001, were indeed the result of a conspiracy: a conspiracy of Osama bin Laden and a crew of mostly Saudi hijackers. The evidence is overwhelming that the terrorist attacks of Sept. (Image credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Eyewitnesses who dispute the conclusions of even the biggest conspiracy theories are mistaken, according to believers - or part of the conspiracy.Īn aerial view of the NYC Custom house and surrounding area after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That may be the social need to feel good about the group they belong to, the need to know the truth and have certainty, or the existential need to feel safe or feel a sense of control over what happens to us.Īnd hardcore believers are adept at rationalizing away evidence that contradicts their beliefs. In part, that's because they fulfill a psychological need, Douglas said. The top conspiracy theories are often very difficult to dislodge. Karen is currently working on a European Research Council Advanced Grant to study the consequences of conspiracy theories for individuals, groups, and societies. She has published widely on these topics and her research regularly features in the media.
Karen Douglas is a Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent in the U.K. Her research focuses on the antecedents and consequences of belief in conspiracy theories.
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