The More Absurd, the Greater the Belief: Where Conspiracy Theories Come From

Why Facts Fail to Convince Believers

If you’ve ever tried to convince someone with facts and failed, you’re not alone. The more absurd a theory, the stronger the belief in it can become. It’s not a lack of knowledge or mere naivety. Research shows that conspiracy theories provide something facts cannot—a sense of strength and resistance against the world.

Two Topics, One Mechanism of Misinformation

This is confirmed by a study from an international team of scientists, including experts from California State University, Northridge, and the University of Regina. The analysis involved over 5,500 people across eight countries. Researchers investigated why there is such stubborn persistence in clinging to false information, even when it directly contradicts the facts.

The study focused on two areas: the belief that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful, and the conviction that investing in cryptocurrencies is a symbol of independence from the traditional financial system.

When Misinformation Provides a Sense of Power

The researchers agreed: the strongest factor in believing misinformation wasn’t political leanings or a specific way of thinking. In the case of health-related topics, it came down to something else: whether a particular stance was perceived as a sign of strength or weakness.

For those particularly susceptible to misinformation, the truth takes a backseat. What matters more is how they are perceived by others. The goal is not factual accuracy, but avoiding the impression that they are yielding to external influences.

The Psychology of Independence and Misinformation

For these individuals, a sense of independence and resistance to outside pressure becomes paramount. Facts are sidelined because, within this logic, any claim can be questioned. The easier something is to debunk, the louder its proclamation becomes—serving as a clearer act of “rebellion.”

Consequently, real problems—like fighting a pandemic—lose out to a psychological battle for control over the narrative. Researchers observed this exact same mechanism in the case of cryptocurrencies.

When Misinformation Becomes a Tool of Power

According to the study published in The Journal of Social Psychology, individuals who viewed cryptocurrency investing as a symbol of independence from mainstream finance were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.

Both studies revealed the same pattern: belief in misinformation was strongly linked to the conviction that certain groups should dominate others and to support for “strongman” authoritarian rule. This is precisely why authoritarian leaders utilize misinformation so eagerly—they treat it as a tool for control and a demonstration of power.

“Our findings highlight the limitations of directly countering misinformation, as for some people, the literal truth is not the heart of the matter,”

– the researchers noted in their findings published on The Conversation.

How Misinformation Spirals Out of Control

This explains how the most nonsensical theories gain traction. In fact, the more absurd the theory, the stronger the “demonstration effect” can be. Worst of all, blatant provocations and lies can be interpreted as a symbol of “authenticity.” This attitude serves another, more cynical purpose as well.

Misinformation as an Instrument of Authority

The mechanisms of misinformation are particularly useful for those seeking to influence others. They can serve as loyalty tests, negotiation tools, or a “fake it until you make it” strategy—repeated long enough, the lie begins to function as reality.

Misinformation almost always goes hand in hand with a sense of power. This is why the psychology of conspiracy theories allows them to take root so easily. The problem is that this social mechanism can become self-propelling, leading to increasingly absurd and dangerous consequences.

Read this article in Polish: Im większy absurd, tym większa wiara. Skąd biorą się teorie spiskowe