6 Conspiracy Theories That Might Leave You Questioning Your Reality

Conspiracy theorists reckon that there's more to reality than what meets the eye. Do you believe them?

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | 06 March, 2024

Some of the most interesting discussions you can have with others are those about reality and truth. These are the conversations that have fueled the pursuit of knowledge for centuries, stirring curiosity and sparking debates that illuminate the mysteries of the world. But within these engaging dialogues lies a curious phenomenon: a tendency for some to veer into the realm of skepticism.

It's within this space that conspiracy theories find their footing–a captivating domain where reality is envisioned with suspicion and speculation. From whispers of overpowering organizations pulling strings from the shadows to historic events shrouded in secrecy, conspiracy theories offer a tantalizing glimpse into the darker recesses of human imagination.

The Most Commonly Believed Conspiracy Theories

Research from Personality and Individual Differences describes conspiracy theories as offering unsubstantiated explanations for world events and often implicate evil people or groups as being the cause. According to the 2024 study, there are six kinds of conspiracy theories that are most commonly believed:

1. Government malfeasance. These theories claim that governments engage in covert activities—such as orchestrating terrorist attacks or faking natural disasters—to justify military intervention, expand surveillance powers or to distract the public from other issues. Believers may point to inconsistencies in official accounts or past instances of government misconduct as evidence of a larger conspiracy. Examples of these include theories surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which suggest involvement or complicity by the U.S. government.
2. Malevolent global manipulation. Proponents of these theories may argue that powerful and shadowy groups, like the Illuminati or global elites, control world events to further their own agendas. Such agendas include establishing the New World Order or consolidating their wealth and power. These believers may cite symbols, alleged connections among influential figures or patterns of historical events as proof of hidden agendas.
3. Personal well-being control. These conspiracies involve suggestions that corporations or governments are using technologies, like microchips or electromagnetic frequencies, to manipulate or harm individuals. Theorists may fear that these entities seek to control behavior, track individuals' movements or even alter their thoughts and emotions.
4. Extraterrestrial cover-ups. Believers in these theories contend that governments and military organizations are actively concealing the truth about the existence of extraterrestrial life. This may include claims of UFO sightings or encounters with aliens, which are then claimed to be dismissed or suppressed by official channels. Believers argue that disclosure of the existence of alien life would have profound implications for society and the balance of power.
5. Control of information. These theories suggest that various organizations, such as the government, the media or academic institutions, manipulate information to shape public perceptions, suppress dissent or advance certain agendas. These believers may distrust official narratives, often question the credibility of mainstream media outlets and will seek out alternative media channels for "untainted" information.
6. Covid-19. These theories encompass a wide range of false and misleading claims about the origins, severity and responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. Including allegations that the virus was deliberately engineered, believers in this theory purport that Covid-19 is a bioweapon or a hoax perpetrated for political and economic gain. Many may go further to suggest that Covid-19 vaccinations are part of a larger scheme to control or harm the population.

How To Spot A Conspiracy Theorist

Research from Frontiers in Psychology highlights that, while many consider them to be harmless, conspiracy theories can be detrimental to both believers and society as a whole. For instance, beliefs about disease origins and treatments can harm preventive measures and treatment adherence. Similarly, concerns about vaccine safety contribute to declining vaccination rates. Concerningly, some conspiracy theories foster social and political disengagement and may even fuel political extremism.

Given this, the authors developed the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs scale. By indicating levels of agreement to the following statements, on a scale from "definitely not true" to "definitely true," conspiracy beliefs can be quantified:

1. The government is involved in the murder of innocent citizens and/or well-known public figures, and keeps this a secret.
2. The power held by heads of state is second to that of small, unknown groups who really control world politics.
3. Secret organizations communicate with extraterrestrials, but keep this fact from the public.
4. The spread of certain viruses and/or diseases is the result of deliberate, concealed efforts of some organization.
5. Groups of scientists manipulate, fabricate or suppress evidence in order to deceive the public.
6. The government permits or perpetrates acts of terrorism on its own soil, disguising its involvement.
7. A small, secret group of people is responsible for making all major world decisions, such as going to war.
8. Evidence of alien contact is being concealed from the public.
9. Technology with mind-control capacities is used on people without their knowledge.
10. New and advanced technology, which would harm the current industry, is being suppressed.
11. The government uses people as patsies to hide its involvement in criminal activity.
12. Certain significant events have been the result of the activity of a small group who secretly manipulate world events.
13. Some UFO sightings and rumors are planned or staged in order to distract the public from real alien contact.
14. Experiments involving new drugs or technologies are routinely carried out on the public without their knowledge or consent.
15. A lot of important information is deliberately concealed from the public out of self-interest.

While the allure of conspiracy theories may be undeniable, their impact can be downright dangerous, unraveling the fabric of public health, social unity and political stability. Delving too deep can lead to obsessive and antisocial behavior, as individuals become consumed by the quest for hidden truths, distancing themselves from reality and those around them.

In our very complex and uncertain world, it's crucial to confront conspiracy theories with a healthy dose of critical thinking and skepticism. By embracing evidence-based discourse and rallying together for collective action, we can confront real societal challenges head-on, steering clear of the pitfalls that lurk within the shadowy realms of conspiracy.

Do you fall victim to the allure of conspiracy theories? Take this test to find out: Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.