From Pine View Farm

“But It’s the Only Possible Explanation” 0

At Psychology Today Blogs, Sam Goldstein explores how evolution has predisposed us to be susceptible to conspiracy theories. Given the current state of dis coarse discourse, methinks it a timely and worthwhile read. Here’s a tiny bit:

While our ancestors faced immediate physical dangers and had limited data, modern society presents complex problems with abundant yet ambiguous data. Yet, we still rely on outdated intuitive heuristics.

This creates fertile ground for pseudoscience and conspiracy theories. Considering the role of the “illusion of causality,” where people perceive non-existent causal links, especially in areas like alternative medicine and superstition, is critical (Blanco & Matute, 2018). These illusions persist because they exploit our evolved cognitive tendencies.

The rise of social media further worsens this problem.

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