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Title: Conspiracy Theorists Really Do See The World Differently, New Study Shows
Source:
sciencealert.com
URL Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/conspi ... n-perception-cognitive-science
Published: Oct 23, 2017
Author: Signe Dean
Post Date: 2017-12-22 04:05:55 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 1423
Comments: 24
To a conspiracy theorist, the world is not what it seems. Invisible threads link seemingly unrelated concepts, and there's no such thing as a random coincidence. Researchers have been scratching their heads for years over what makes some people more conspiratorially inclined. Now a recent study has finally tracked down one of the faulty thinking patterns. As it turns out, we all use it - but these people use it too much. A team of psychologists from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the University of Kent in the UK has determined that conspiracy theorists are hooked on something called 'illusory pattern perception'. "People often hold irrational beliefs, which we broadly define here as unfounded, unscientific, and illogical assumptions about the world," the team writes in the study. "Although many irrational beliefs exist, belief in conspiracy theories and belief in the supernatural are particularly prevalent among ordinary, nonpathological citizens." In other words, conspiracy theorists are not "nuts". They're totally sane, which makes their beliefs all the more puzzling - until we realise that they actually see the world quite differently. Illusory pattern perception is a pretty simple concept. It happens whenever we find a meaningful pattern in random stimuli, drawing correlations and even causation where none has actually occurred. For example, you might have a dream about an elderly relative, and then receive news the following day that the relative has passed away. For some people that would be enough to conclude that their dreams can predict the future. We all do this with patterns to some extent, because that's how our brains work - and it's a useful tool for drawing conclusions about an environment full of cause, effect, and potential danger. You may think illusory pattern perception is an obvious explanation for what's going on with conspiracy theorists. And it's true that researchers have assumed this phenomenon plays a role, but turns out they haven't actually been testing it. "[I]t is surprising how little direct empirical evidence there is available to support the role of illusory pattern perception in irrational beliefs in general, and particularly in the domain of conspiracy theories," the team writes in the study. To tackle this problem, the team devised a series of experiments. After recruiting 264 American adults, they started by assessing the participants' belief in both common and made-up conspiracy theories, on a scale of 1 to 9. Amongst the conspiracies were things like "Ebola is a man-made virus," "the moon landing was a hoax," and the fictitious "the extract 'testiculus taurus' found in Red Bull has unknown side effects." The researchers also ranked the participants' supernatural beliefs before moving on to a series of experiments designed to test whether people with high belief scores in conspiracies and supernatural stuff would also be more inclined to spot patterns in complete randomness. After testing the subject's inclination for patterns on randomly generated coin tosses (conspiracy theorists found more patterns) the team moved on to pattern spotting in modernist artworks by Victor Vasarely (whose geometric works have obvious patterns) and Jackson Pollock (whose paint splatters are much more random, and any patterns spotted are more likely to be imaginary). Curiously, conspiratorial and supernatural beliefs were only correlated with pattern spotting in Pollock's artwork, whereas people who spotted geometric patterns showed no specific inclinations towards any irrational beliefs. Overall, this study has generated some pretty compelling evidence that our need to make sense of the world by generating patterns really goes into overdrive in those who veer towards conspiracy theories. "We conclude that illusory pattern perception is a central cognitive ingredient of beliefs in conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena," the team writes. And that's super-useful to know. As infuriating as it may be to find yourself up late having an internet fight with a conspiracy theorist, remind yourself that they actually see the world differently, and might even be feeling lonely. The research was published in the European Journal of Social Psychology. Poster Comment: So, there....now you all know too. "We conclude that illusory pattern perception is a central cognitive ingredient of beliefs in conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena," the team writes.
I knew it....I just knew it....I knew it all along and I have been trying to tell everyone there was a reason why conspiracy theorists are freaks.
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#1. To: Gatlin (#0)
Huh. Well, my belief in supernatural phenomena is based on empirical experience of supernatural phenomena.
Of course They would say that.
I’ll confess that I’ve never quite understood the dire attraction to conspiracies some people intensely hold. And the way I look at it to consider that even if a certain conspiracy exists, then so what? How will it affect my life and how should I spend my day differently? It’s difficult for me to see how anyone can focus so deeply on conspiracies and I wonder why they spend so much time concentrating on things they have no control over. And let them become a fruitless distraction from the things over which they can control. I really don’t care about conspiracy theories and I have no concomitant reason to discover the “real story” behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Life is too short for me to spend time worrying about it or even discussing it. Of course, I do enjoy making fun of conspiracies and freaky conspiracy theorists. I can’t help doing that ...
A lie.
Top Ten Conspiracy Theories That Became FACT in 2017
The fact that his assassination was a coup by the Deep Sate bothers you not? You "Magic Bullet" cultists crack me up. During his tests, Oswald had used “presumably a good to excellent rifle” (Warren Commission Hearings, vol.11, p.304). The Mannlicher Carcano rifle that was discovered on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, however, was a “cheap old weapon” (Warren Commission Hearings, vol.4, p.29). It was examined by the FBI’s firearms specialist, who stated that: Every time we changed the adjusting screws to move the crosshairs in the telescopic sight in one direction it also affected the movement of the impact or the point of impact in the other direction. … We fired several shots and found that the shots were not all landing in the same place, but were gradually moving away from the point of impact. Ronald Simmons of the US Army also examined the rifle, and found problems with the bolt and the trigger mechanism: There were several comments made — particularly with respect to the amount of effort required to open the bolt. … There was also comment made about the trigger pull … in the first stage the trigger is relatively free, and it suddenly required a greater pull to actually fire the weapon. … The pressure to open the bolt was so great that that we tended to move the rifle off the target. In the late 1950s, US Marines were categorised at three levels of shooting ability, according to the scores they achieved at a standardised test of their accuracy: According to his Marine score card (Commission Exhibit 239), Oswald was tested twice: Colonel Allison Folsom interpreted the results for the Warren Commission: The Marine Corps consider that any reasonable application of the instructions given to Marines should permit them to become qualified at least as a marksman. To become qualified as a sharpshooter, the Marine Corps is of the opinion that most Marines with a reasonable amount of adaptability to weapons firing can become so qualified. Consequently, a low marksman qualification indicates a rather poor “shot” and a sharpshooter qualification indicates a fairly good “shot”. Folsom agreed with his (not her) questioner that Oswald “was not a particularly outstanding shot” (Warren Commission Hearings, vol.8, p.311). conspiracy theorists are freaks Mainstream "conspiracy theorist freaks": "The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes." "The governments of the present day have to deal not merely with other governments, with emperors, kings and ministers, but also with the secret societies which have everywhere their unscrupulous agents, and can at the last moment upset all the governments' plans. " "Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men's views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the Field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it." "The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the larger centers has owned the Government ever since the days of Andrew Jackson." "We are grateful to The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subject to the bright lights of publicity during those years. But, the work is now much more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national autodetermination practiced in past centuries." Of course, I do enjoy making fun of conspiracies and freaky conspiracy theorists. I can’t help doing that ... ---- Gatlin Weird fella, in that he enjoys making fun of his peers that are critical of gov theories absolving multiple presidential assassins, while convicting a dead 'lone gunman' suspect. This guy insists he was an officer in our military? ---- I can't believe him..
A lie. Yep….it absolutely is a lie. Uh, everyone must surely realize it has been much LONGER that that. It has much LONGER than that. I stopped looking back at how long when I reached 1954 to find the theory of cognitive dissonance - one of most influential theories in social psychology - was pioneered by Leon Festinger, at the University of Minnesota. In the summer of 1954.
Wow! But? The top ten of how many THOUSANDS of conspiracy theories? What? No honorable mention for the multitude of conspiracy theories that were far too ridiculous to even note?
So you think there are actually researchers researching this, how about a link budy.
You talking to me? I do not have, nor have I ever had, any magic bullet theory….therefore I am no cultists, as you so loosely use the word. I specifically said in a previous that I don’t give a shit about any conspiracy theories. When are you ever going to develop some good reading comprehension skills? Your statement here shows that you never read and fully understand the posts of others since you are so primed to reach into your file of copy and pasties to immediately come back with a canned talking point. You are extremely predictable …
Just for you, since I like you so much, I just googled ”conspiracy theories research” and got About 413,000 results is a mere 0.46 seconds. You can pick any one of those, or more, you like. Is there anything else I can do for you …
Mainstream "conspiracy theorist freaks": While I easily recognize there is an exposure of conspiracy theorists across all walks of life and even in high positions of government....yet the most certain stereotypes that stick in my mind and refuse to be disproved are those who have a strong sense of exclusion, feeling lost in the events of the world, while rejecting the political system as a whole since they have a complete distrust in all aspects of political institutions. These are the ragtag true freaks who are incongruously varied in character. And they don’t vote, or when they do vote....they vote for extremes. It is people like these who are real suckers for conspiracy theories, and it’s a sign their problem is of a deep social malaise. Are you getting the message?
Yeah, you're a Lone Canary k0oK!
You'd be a fool to not have complete distrust in all aspects of "political institutions". You just flat out admitted to being what some of the highly intelligent posters have continually charged you as being. With your inadvertent slip of the keys….you just flat out ADMITTED TO BEING AN ARARCHIST. Right out of the latest edition of Merriam-Webster: That’s you….you just admitted that’s you. Don’t you try to squirm or chisel your way out of it by back-peddling. Furthermore it would be no surprise, judging from you Devil-like posts, that you are also a self-styled nihilist. God have mercy on your poor lost soul …
Getting really desperate to paint me with that label aren't you? Definition of anarchist: A person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power. Here's what I posted, in case you didn't read it the first time: You'd be a fool to not have complete distrust in all aspects of "political institutions". Big difference. Huge. ...what some of the highly intelligent posters have continually charged you as being. What, you mean you and GrandIsland? "Highly intelligent"? Don't make me laugh. Furthermore it would be no surprise, judging from you Devil-like posts... Seriously? That's the best you can come up with? ...you are also a self-styled nihilist. And your insanity continues unabated. Nice the way you took the entire thread off topic by getting in a few unintelligent slams at me personally. But then that's what I have come to expect from you. I will restate my original post: You'd be a fool to not have complete distrust in all aspects of "political institutions". I wouldn't expect someone like you who worships all thing government to understand that. Here's some free advice - the government is NOT your friend. They lie to you constantly. Nice talking at you Parsons. Getting really desperate to paint me with that label aren't you? Sonny boy, I have not painted you anything. You are a self-confessed anarchist. You openly admitted to being an anarchist and your confession stands a matter of record. I cannot understand why you anarchists are so adverse to self-admission. But then I really don’t trouble myself and only think about is for one passing moment.
Quite the imagination you have there psycho. Must reading for Gatlin - Quite the imagination you have there psycho. Quite an admission you inadvertently you made there, Arky.
Is this the book that got you started on your way, Arky?
I’ll confess that I’ve never quite understood the dire attraction to conspiracies some people intensely hold. And the way I look at it to consider that even if a certain conspiracy exists, then so what? How will it affect my life and how should I spend my day differently? It’s difficult for me to see how anyone can focus so deeply on conspiracies and I wonder why they spend so much time concentrating on things they have no control over. And let them become a fruitless distraction from the things over which they can control. --- Gatlin Here below is part of an extensive essay about conspiracy theory: ---- "Human life is conspiratorial. We can face this, embrace it, but if we deny it, we empower it in the worst way. It’s commonplace, natural to an intelligent, social and competitive species at our level of cooperative and communicative sophistication. People keep sexual secrets, cover for friends, cooperate in mutually beneficial thefts from employers, arrange global business manipulations, distort elections. The list goes on at any level of social organization, of any kind. Common sense and established history also shows conspiracy in the face of political oppression, manipulation and tyranny, is vastly beneficial. The mutual vigilance conspiracy generates between great nations, and the uncertainties it forces on policy, prevent wars of aggression. Like any social ability, conspiracy is what you make of it. The same applies to conspiracy theory. Like any other means of explanation, it has powerful abuses and absolutely critical uses." https://social-epistemology.com/tag/generalism/
"We conclude that illusory pattern perception is a central cognitive ingredient of beliefs in conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena,"
#2. To: Gatlin (#0)
#3. To: All (#0)
#4. To: Gatlin (#0)
Researchers have been scratching their heads for years over what makes some people more conspiratorially inclined
#5. To: A K A Stone, Gatlin (#4)
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#6. To: Gatlin (#3)
I really don’t care about conspiracy theories and I have no concomitant reason to discover the “real story” behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
The Quality of Oswald’s Rifles
Oswald’s Marine Rifle Marksmanship Scores
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#7. To: Gatlin (#0)
(Edited)
To a conspiracy theorist, the world is not what it seems.
Benjamin Disraeli, first Prime Minister of England, in a novel he published in 1844 called Coningsby, the New Generation,
Woodrow Wilson,The New Freedom (1913)
A letter written by FDR to Colonel House, November 21st, l933
David Rockefeller, founder of the Trilateral Commission, in an address to a meeting of The Trilateral Commission, in June, 1991. “Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#8. To: Giggles gatlin, admits that JFK killing isn't of interest... (#3)
I have no concomitant reason to discover the “real story” behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
#9. To: A K A Stone (#4)
Researchers have been scratching their heads for years over what makes some people more conspiratorially inclined
#10. To: Deckard (#5)
Top Ten Conspiracy Theories That Became FACT in 2017
#11. To: Gatlin (#9)
#12. To: Deckard (#6)
You "Magic Bullet" cultists crack me up.
#13. To: A K A Stone (#11)
So you think there are actually researchers researching this, how about a link budy.
What, buddy, your Google function not working or don’t you know how to use it?
#14. To: Deckard (#7)
#15. To: Gatlin, yukon wuz hacked, by a Lone Canary (#14)
Are you getting the message?
#16. To: Gatlin, Hondo68, tpaine (#14)
a complete distrust in all aspects of political complete distrust in all aspects of political institutions
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#17. To: Deckard (#16)
You'd be a fool to not have complete distrust in all aspects of "political institutions".
Yep…YEP….see THERE. You do know what you just did, don’t you? You don’t? Well then I, as your guardian of all facts, am here today on this open forum to tell you exactly what you just did….and I will hold no punches. Definition of anarchist: A person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power.
#18. To: Gatlin (#17)
(Edited)
you just flat out ADMITTED TO BEING AN ARARCHIST.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#19. To: Deckard (#18)
you just flat out ADMITTED TO BEING AN ARARCHIST.
#20. To: Gatlin (#19)
You openly admitted to being an anarchist
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#21. To: Gatlin (#19)
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#22. To: Deckard (#20)
You openly admitted to being an anarchist
#23. To: Deckard (#21)
(Edited)
#24. To: Gatlin (#3)
(Edited)
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