Wednesday, October 30, 2024

The Brain on Conspiracies: Understanding the Neurological Differences Between Believers and Non-Believers

 


Introduction

As the election season is upon us, conspiracy theories are taking on new importance, influencing public opinion and voting behaviors. Conspiracy theories are no longer fringe ideas—they’ve become widespread across social media and public discourse. But what makes certain people more likely to believe in them? Emerging research from neuroscience and psychology suggests there are physiological brain changes in conspiracy believers compared to those who dismiss such theories. 

The Amygdala: The Fear Center of the Brain

The amygdala, an area of the brain associated with processing emotions like fear, plays a significant role in conspiratorial thinking. According to a study in Nature, heightened amygdala activity has been observed in individuals who tend to focus on perceived threats, a core element in many conspiracy theories. This overactivity could explain why conspiracy believers are more prone to anxiety and suspicion, as their brains react more intensely to the idea of danger or deception.

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The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex

While the amygdala governs emotions, the prefrontal cortex—responsible for higher-order functions like reasoning and decision-making—regulates logical thinking. A study from CellGate reveals that individuals prone to believing in conspiracy theories show reduced prefrontal cortex activity, which may impair their ability to analyze information critically. This diminished activity weakens their capacity to question dubious claims or resist emotionally charged, irrational ideas (Sanfey et al., 2003).




Need for Closure vs. Need for Cognition: Two Personality Types

A recent NPR podcast highlights two psychological profiles that might explain why some people are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. According to research, people needing closure seek certainty and precise answers and tend to feel uncomfortable with ambiguity. Delusion-proneness was associated with a need for closure. This preference makes them more susceptible to black-and-white explanations, a hallmark of many conspiracy theories (Kruglanski & Webster, 1996). Conversely, individuals with a high "need for cognition" are more open to complexity and uncertainty, making them less likely to accept conspiratorial claims at face value.

Election Season and the Rise of Conspiracy Theories

As election season approaches, conspiracy theories become even more prominent. From allegations of election fraud to unfounded claims about political candidates, heightened amygdala activity in conspiracy believers is more easily triggered by politically charged misinformation. According to a report by The Washington Post, rampant misinformation during election periods has a profound impact on voter behavior, with conspiracy believers being particularly vulnerable to manipulation. This makes understanding the brain's role in conspiracy thinking more important than ever during such critical times.

How the Amygdala Influences Conspiratorial Thinking

The heightened activity in the amygdala fuels emotional responses and triggers a greater tendency to perceive the world as threatening. This threat-detection bias makes conspiracy theories—often built around fear and hidden dangers—especially attractive. 

Susceptibility to Conspiracies: A Brain Balance

The balance between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex is crucial for regulating emotional responses and applying rational thought. Emotional reactivity can overwhelm logic when this balance tips toward amygdala-driven fear and suspicion, as in conspiracy believers. A Harvard Medical School study underscores how reduced adolescent prefrontal cortex activity results in impaired reasoning. 

Conclusion

The neurological and psychological differences between conspiracy believers and non-believers provide valuable insights into why some individuals are likelier to fall for misinformation. Studies show heightened amygdala activity, reduced prefrontal cortex function, and personality traits like a high "need for closure" are key factors. As election season amplifies the spread of conspiracies, understanding these brain changes becomes critical for developing strategies to counter misinformation and promote critical thinking.



8 comments:

  1. Very interesting take on this. I know psychiatrists see the brain as another organ. So is it all physiological in the final analysis?

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    1. That’s how I look at it, and it’s helped me unburden my frustration over how anyone can believe the stuff they do. It’s the brain. Not a whole lot we can do about “brain deficiencies."

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  2. It explains a lot, Kwei, but also has me wondering whether those appealing to reason will ever prevail over fear mongering...unless they seriously change their approach to those governed by their amygdala.---Jeff

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    1. I wish I could offer some hope, but unfortunately, the tests seem to indicate that the only persuadable ones are those who are willing to submit to persuasion, and by definition, there are very few of those.

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  3. Thanks, Kwei. Are there any data indicating the percentage of the population who have dominant amygdala? Or is the percentage context specific? Stan

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    1. Here’s also a reference from Statista:
      https://www.statista.com/topics/5103/beliefs-and-superstition-in-the-us/#topicOverview

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    2. Sorry, those “Anonymous” replies were me 😅

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  4. That’s a great question; I had Chat GPT search the literature and it came back with this:
    "Regarding the prevalence of this neural configuration in the general population, specific data is limited. However, studies have explored the broader prevalence of conspiracy beliefs. For instance, a 2019 survey found that a significant portion of Americans endorsed various conspiracy theories, with belief rates varying depending on the specific theory.

    It's important to note that while certain neural patterns may predispose individuals to conspiracy beliefs, these tendencies are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including psychological, social, and environmental influences. Therefore, the relationship between brain activity and conspiracy belief is not deterministic but rather one of many contributing factors.”
    In summary, we don’t have any large enough studies from which we could deduce the prevalence of the amygdala vs. prefrontal cortex patterns, but we do have more data on the prevalence of a specific belief in different populations. For example, Indians endorse climate change more than Americans and Japanese do, and 7% of Brazilians assert the Earth is flat. So, I do believe you’re right; it’s context-specific, what with different inputs from social media, etc., in different parts of the world.

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