Overconfident conspiracy theorists: Many unaware their beliefs are on the fringe

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I'm not surprised but it's chasing ghosts to just ID the condition

How did they come to have such robust belief in their own judgment?

Personally, I think psychology has a lot to answer for. It's been about 100 years since it landed in the US, and it's gone through different theories of popularity about every 25 years. Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Holistic & Integrative ......... There were a lot of sub-schools along the way, and blends, and niche schools and fringe ones. The period of feel good mood therapy coincided with the end of the Cold War and the rise of the Me generation. I would theorize this emphasis on the self has given rise to a totally narcissistic culture that believes in itself and is foundational for conspiracy enthusiasts.

With so many schools of thought, do any of them know what's going on? Why do schools fall in and out of favor? They're as bad as economists, a new theory for their paymasters please pass the consulting fees, lobbyists, and think tanks.