Conspiracy Theories: The Dark Link Between Grudge and Science Denial
- Lidi Garcia
- Mar 19
- 5 min read
Conspiracy theories are alternative explanations for major events that reject widely accepted, evidence-based accounts. These theories are a complex phenomenon with deep roots in human psychology. In addition to the search for explanations, security, and belonging, spite can be a major factor in driving people to reject science and adopt conspiracy beliefs. Understanding these motivations is essential to developing strategies to combat misinformation and foster a more informed and resilient society.
Conspiracy theories are alternative explanations for major events that reject widely accepted, evidence-based accounts.
Instead, these theories often suggest that secret, powerful groups are manipulating events for their own benefit. These explanations are often illogical, exaggerated, or even fanciful, but they still find loyal followers.
A central aspect of many conspiracy theories is science denial. This includes rejecting well-established scientific findings, such as the human influence on climate change, the effectiveness of vaccines, and the credibility of experts in a variety of fields.
Studies show that there is a strong link between the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories and science denialism. In other words, people who embrace conspiracy theories often distrust scientific research and the academic community.
But why does this happen? One reason is that science often contradicts intuition and emotions. Scientific discoveries are not always easy to understand and can seem far removed from everyday reality. For example, it is difficult for many people to visualize how billions of tons of invisible gases can affect the global climate, or to believe in something that is invisible, such as cells, DNA, genes, viruses, etc.
Similarly, some discoveries contradict deeply held personal or cultural beliefs, making them uncomfortable or difficult to accept.
To avoid dealing with this uncomfortable information, some people prefer to believe that scientists are part of a conspiracy to deceive the public.
Researchers have identified three main reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories:
Epistemic reasons (need for explanation): People want to understand the world around them and feel like they have control over what’s happening. When an event seems confusing or scary, like a pandemic or an economic crisis, some people prefer an explanation that seems to make sense, even if it’s incorrect.
Existential reasons (need for safety and control): Some people turn to conspiracy theories to cope with uncertainty and fear. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people rejected scientific information about the virus because it made them feel vulnerable.
Social reasons (need for belonging and status): Believing in conspiracy theories can make someone feel special or smarter than others. It creates a sense of identity and belonging to a group that “knows the truth” while others are being deceived.
In three pre-registered studies, researchers at Staffordshire University, UK, tested the hypothesis that established predictors of these beliefs (epistemic, existential and social motives) are specific cues of competitive disadvantage that elicit a common facultative psychological response of “spite”, making a person more open to believing in conspiracy theories.
Study 1 with 301 participants (a large, representative sample from the UK) found that spite mediated the relationship between realistic threat and in-group narcissism (social motives), political powerlessness (existential motive) and intolerance of uncertainty (epistemic motive), and belief in conspiracy theories and COVID-19 conspiracies.
This pattern was replicated in Study 2 with 405 participants from the UK. In Study 3 with 405 participants, they found that those who engaged in a spite-inducing task reported higher levels of spite, which indirectly resulted in stronger beliefs in conspiracy theories. These three factors are universal and present across cultures and societies.
However, a new hypothesis suggests that there is another factor behind these beliefs: spite.
Spite is a feeling that arises when someone feels wronged or wronged and, in response, wants to harm others, even if it negatively affects them as well. In other words, it is the desire to “level the playing field” by attacking those who are perceived as more powerful.
Researchers suggest that conspiracy theories may be a form of spite in action. When a person feels that they have been wronged by governments, institutions, or academic elites, they may develop an attitude of opposition and reject any information that comes from these sources.
This would explain why some people are so distrustful of science and experts.
For example, someone who lost a job during an economic crisis may resent the government and big corporations. Rather than accept data-based explanations, this person may prefer to believe that there is a global conspiracy to keep people poor and controlled.
Spite fuels this belief because it provides a clear enemy to blame and a sense of justice through rejection of the system.
While believing in conspiracy theories may provide a momentary relief from uncertainty and fear, these beliefs can have negative consequences for both individuals and society as a whole.
Some of the main consequences include:
Generalized distrust – People who believe in conspiracies often lose trust in important institutions, such as science, medicine, and the media. This can lead to refusal of vaccines, consumption of false information, and resistance to important public policies.
Social polarization – Conspiracy theories often create divisions between groups, as they promote the idea that there is an “us versus them.” This can hinder dialogue and increase conflict within society.
Harmful behaviors – Belief in conspiracies can lead to dangerous decisions, such as avoiding effective medical treatments, adopting extreme diets, or even participating in violent acts based on false theories.
To reduce the impact of conspiracy theories, it is essential to address the underlying causes of these beliefs.
Rather than simply trying to correct misinformation, more effective strategies include: providing accessible science education, reducing inequality and social insecurity, promoting critical thinking, and engaging in open and empathetic dialogue. Rather than ridiculing conspiracy believers, approaching them with empathy and providing them with reliable information can be more effective in changing their perspective.
Conspiracy theories are a complex phenomenon with deep roots in human psychology. In addition to the search for explanations, security, and belonging, spite can be a major factor in driving people to reject science and adopt conspiracy beliefs.
Understanding these motivations is essential to developing strategies that combat misinformation and foster a more informed and resilient society.
READ MORE:
Spite and Science-Denial: Exploring the Role of Spitefulness in Conspiracy Ideation and COVID-19 Conspiracy Beliefs
David S. Gordon and Megan E. Birney
Journal of Social Issues. Volume 81, Issue1. March 2025 e12662
Abstract:
Science denialism is at the heart of many conspiracy theory beliefs. We propose that such beliefs are manifestations of a distal social process: spite. In three pre-registered studies, we test the hypothesis that established predictors of these beliefs (epistemic, existential, and social motives) are specific cues of competitive disadvantage that provoke a common facultative “spiteful” psychological response, making a person more open to believing in conspiracy theories. Study 1 (N = 301; UK representative Prolific sample), found that spite mediated the relationship between realistic threat and in-group narcissism (social motives), political powerlessness (existential motive), and intolerance for uncertainty (epistemic motive), and conspiracy theory belief and COVID-19 conspiracies. This pattern was replicated in Study 2 (N = 405; UK representative Prolific sample). In Study 3 (N = 405; UK representative Prolific sample), we found that those who engaged in a spite-inducing task reported higher levels of spite which indirectly resulted in stronger beliefs in conspiracy theories. The overall pattern of results provides initial evidence that spite may play a role in why people engage with false information. Research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
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