Emerging research indicates that a potent driver behind the dissemination of conspiracy theories is a profound inclination to destabilize the prevailing political order. This motivation appears to hold true irrespective of whether the individual propagating the theories genuinely subscribes to them.
Investigative bodies have even coined a nomenclature for this inherent drive towards subversion: a ‘need for chaos’.
While a propensity for conspiratorial thinking is a common human trait to some extent, certain manifestations of these beliefs can evolve into perilous phenomena. The escalating diffusion and influence of online disinformation, frequently amplified by self-serving entities, has necessitated a rigorous exploration into the psychological underpinnings of conspiratorial ideation.
Building upon prior scholarly investigations, Christina Farhart, a political scientist at Carleton University, undertook a survey involving 3,336 American participants, equally distributed across the political spectrum. The inquiry sought to ascertain whether respondents were more inclined to share conspiracy theories due to genuine belief, a desire to issue a warning, or an intrinsic need for disruptive upheaval.
Consistent with previous findings, Farhart and her associates identified conviction in a conspiracy theory as the predominant determinant of an individual’s willingness to propagate it via social media platforms. These convictions frequently stem from valid yet unaddressed anxieties that individuals grapple with in their everyday existence.
Conversely, the research revealed that a ‘need for chaos’ served as a more significant predictor of an individual’s self-perceived propensity to disseminate conspiracy theories. This suggests a more intricate motivational landscape than simply endorsing one’s own political affiliation.
“While some individuals disseminate information with the explicit aim of discrediting political adversaries, others are motivated by a desire to challenge the entire governmental apparatus,” the researchers communicated to Eric W. Dolan in a report for Psypost.
Given the observational nature of the study and its reliance on self-reported data, the research team acknowledges the inability to establish a definitive causal link between the identified motivations and the act of sharing itself. Nevertheless, the study meticulously accounted for a broad spectrum of influencing variables, encompassing participants’ political engagement levels, their general disposition towards trust, as well as demographic factors such as age, gender, income, and ethnicity.
Individuals exhibiting a pronounced ‘need for chaos’ demonstrated a greater likelihood of expressing strong agreement with statements such as:
“The existing problems within our societal structures are insurmountable; a complete dismantling and reconstruction is necessary.”
Those who hold strong convictions in conspiracy theories are also more inclined to share them if they simultaneously possess this inclination towards chaos.
However, this particular motivation does not necessitate an individual’s actual belief in the content they are disseminating. Instead, individuals driven by a need for chaos appear to feel validated in contributing to the proliferation of online falsehoods, either as a form of protest against a perceived unresponsive establishment or simply as a means to alleviate tedium, as evidenced by enthusiastic endorsement of the sentiment:
“I crave an environment of turmoil; excessive tranquility becomes monotonous.”
This finding resonates with prior studies that suggest individuals experiencing financial or social precarity are more susceptible to adopting conspiratorial beliefs. Such a connection would also elucidate the observed surge in conspiratorial thinking during periods of widespread crisis, a time marked by heightened financial strain and health-related uncertainties.
Furthermore, established research has corroborated that the act of deceiving others can provide a transient sensation of agency for individuals prone to conspiratorial thinking, potentially compensating for a perceived lack of control in other life domains.
Consequently, in light of the escalating pressures individuals face across numerous facets of their daily existence, the recent findings are unlikely to be surprising. For instance, citizens of the United States are currently navigating escalating living expenses, declining public health indicators, heightened financial insecurity, deteriorating educational outcomes, an increase in natural disasters, and rising mortality rates.
“Our research… furnishes compelling evidence to infer that individuals are inclined to circulate conspiracy theories on social media platforms not solely to bolster pre-existing convictions, but also to galvanize support for collective action against the entire established political framework,” Farhar and her collaborators assert in their published work.
This specific body of research was featured in the journal Research and Politics.
