Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions
Introduction Conspiracy theories are popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conspiratorial thinking is characterised by the strong conviction that a certain situation that one sees as unjust is the result of a deliberate conspiracy of a group of people with bad intentions. Conspiratorial thinking ap...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822020594/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616115504906240 |
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| author | W. Veling B. Sizoo J. Van Buuren C. Van Den Berg W. Sewbalak G. Pijnenborg N. Boonstra S. Castelein L. Van Der Meer |
| author_facet | W. Veling B. Sizoo J. Van Buuren C. Van Den Berg W. Sewbalak G. Pijnenborg N. Boonstra S. Castelein L. Van Der Meer |
| author_sort | W. Veling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Conspiracy theories are popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conspiratorial thinking is characterised by the strong conviction that a certain situation that one sees as unjust is the result of a deliberate conspiracy of a group of people with bad intentions. Conspiratorial thinking appears to have many similarities with paranoid delusions.
Objectives
To explore the nature, consequences, and social-psychological dimensions of conspiratorial thinking, and describe similarities and differences with paranoid delusions.
Methods
Critically assessing relevant literature about conspiratorial thinking and paranoid delusions.
Results
Conspiratorial thinking meets epistemic, existential, and social needs. It provides clarity in uncertain times and connection with an in-group of like-minded people. Both conspiratorial thinking and paranoid delusions involve an unjust, persistent, and sometimes bizarre conviction. Unlike conspiracy theorists, people with a paranoid delusion are almost always the only target of the presumed conspiracy, and they usually stand alone in their conviction. Furthermore, conspiracy theories are not based as much on unusual experiences of their inner self, reality, or interpersonal contacts.
Conclusions
Conspirational thinking is common in uncertain circumstances. It gives grip, certainty, moral superiority and social support. Extreme conspirational thinking seems to fit current psychiatric definitions of paranoid delusions, but there are also important differences. To make a distinction with regard to conspiratorial thinking, deepening of conventional definitions of delusions is required. Instead of the strong focus on the erroneous content of delusions, more attention should be given to the underlying idiosyncratic, changed way of experiencing reality.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:36:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1f1903d2e03247cd80c0557ff946829f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:36:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-1f1903d2e03247cd80c0557ff946829f2023-11-17T05:09:24ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S796S79710.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2059Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusionsW. Veling0B. Sizoo1J. Van Buuren2C. Van Den Berg3W. Sewbalak4G. Pijnenborg5N. Boonstra6S. Castelein7L. Van Der Meer8University Medical Center Groningen, University Center For Psychiatry, Groningen, NetherlandsDutch National Police, National Unit, Driebergen, NetherlandsLeiden University, Institute Of Security And Global Affairs, Den Haag, NetherlandsDutch National Police, National Unit, Driebergen, NetherlandsGGz Delfland, Poli Schiedam, Schiedam, NetherlandsGGZ Drenthe, Department Of Psychotic Disorders, Assen, Netherlands University of Groningen, Clinical And Developmental Neuropsychology, Groningen, NetherlandsUniversity of Applied Sciences, Care And Innovation, Leeuwarden, NetherlandsLentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, Groningen, Netherlands University of Groningen, Experimental Psychopathology And Clinical Psychology, Groningen, NetherlandsUniversity of Groningen, Clinical And Developmental Neuropsychology, Groningen, Netherlands Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Department Of Rehabilitation, Zuidlaren, Netherlands Introduction Conspiracy theories are popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conspiratorial thinking is characterised by the strong conviction that a certain situation that one sees as unjust is the result of a deliberate conspiracy of a group of people with bad intentions. Conspiratorial thinking appears to have many similarities with paranoid delusions. Objectives To explore the nature, consequences, and social-psychological dimensions of conspiratorial thinking, and describe similarities and differences with paranoid delusions. Methods Critically assessing relevant literature about conspiratorial thinking and paranoid delusions. Results Conspiratorial thinking meets epistemic, existential, and social needs. It provides clarity in uncertain times and connection with an in-group of like-minded people. Both conspiratorial thinking and paranoid delusions involve an unjust, persistent, and sometimes bizarre conviction. Unlike conspiracy theorists, people with a paranoid delusion are almost always the only target of the presumed conspiracy, and they usually stand alone in their conviction. Furthermore, conspiracy theories are not based as much on unusual experiences of their inner self, reality, or interpersonal contacts. Conclusions Conspirational thinking is common in uncertain circumstances. It gives grip, certainty, moral superiority and social support. Extreme conspirational thinking seems to fit current psychiatric definitions of paranoid delusions, but there are also important differences. To make a distinction with regard to conspiratorial thinking, deepening of conventional definitions of delusions is required. Instead of the strong focus on the erroneous content of delusions, more attention should be given to the underlying idiosyncratic, changed way of experiencing reality. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822020594/type/journal_articleconspiracy theoriesparanoid delusionsCovid-19 |
| spellingShingle | W. Veling B. Sizoo J. Van Buuren C. Van Den Berg W. Sewbalak G. Pijnenborg N. Boonstra S. Castelein L. Van Der Meer Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions European Psychiatry conspiracy theories paranoid delusions Covid-19 |
| title | Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| title_full | Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| title_fullStr | Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| title_short | Are conspiracy theorists psychotic? A comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| title_sort | are conspiracy theorists psychotic a comparison between conspiracy theories and paranoid delusions |
| topic | conspiracy theories paranoid delusions Covid-19 |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822020594/type/journal_article |
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