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Conspiracy Theories: Evolved Functions and Psychological Mechanisms
Jan-Willem van Prooijen1,2, Mark van Vugt1,3
11 Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU Amsterdam.
Summary
Belief in conspiracy theories is a universal phenomenon. This study suggests conspiracy belief may stem from an evolved psychological system for detecting dangerous coalitions, shaped by ancestral threats.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cultural Psychology
Background:
- Conspiracy theories are widespread and influential globally.
- Previous research focused on proximate causes, neglecting evolutionary origins.
- Two hypotheses exist: byproduct of general psychological mechanisms or specific adaptation for coalition detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the evolutionary origins and functions of conspiracy beliefs.
- To evaluate competing hypotheses regarding the adaptive or byproduct nature of conspiracy theorizing.
- To propose an integrated mental system for conspiracy detection shaped by ancestral environments.
Main Methods:
- Review of evidence from social, cultural, and evolutionary psychology.
- Analysis of two competing evolutionary hypotheses on conspiracy beliefs.
- Examination of propositions derived from the adaptation hypothesis.
Main Results:
- Tentative support found for the adaptation hypothesis.
- Conspiracy beliefs may be linked to an evolved mechanism for detecting dangerous coalitions.
- This system likely developed in ancestral environments with frequent hostile coalitions.
Conclusions:
- Conspiracy beliefs may serve an adaptive function in detecting threats from coalitions.
- An evolved, integrated mental system for conspiracy detection is proposed.
- Ancestral human environments, with prevalent conspiracies, likely shaped this psychological system.
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