The Dark Intersection Of Narcissism And Conspiracy Theories

In the vast expanse of the internet, two topics seem to reign supreme: conspiracy theories and the ubiquitous presence of narcissism. The former has long been a concern, as misinformation and conspiratorial thinking continue to spread like wildfire. The latter, narcissism, has become a favourite topic of discussion on social media platforms, with many eager to diagnose others with the trait.

Recent research, published in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, sheds new light on the connection between narcissism and conspiracy theories. The study, which surveyed over 600 individuals, found a striking correlation: those with higher scores on measures of narcissism were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Conventional wisdom suggests that individuals with lower levels of education are more susceptible to conspiracy theories. However, this only tells part of the story. Historically, conspiracy theories have thrived during times of uncertainty, such as war, economic downturns, and widespread hardship, like the COVID pandemic.

What about educated individuals, then? When do they succumb to the allure of conspiracy theories? The research aimed to answer this question by exploring the psychological needs that drive educated individuals to “fall down the rabbit hole.