The psychologist explained the reasons for Russians' interest in conspiracy theories

The interest in conspiracy theories is not related to the level of education, but to psychological characteristics and inner anxiety. This was reported to Izvestia on April 27 by Evgenia Bereza, a clinical psychologist, specialist in psychosomatics and oncopsychology.

The specialist explained that in conditions of uncertainty and a rapidly changing world, a person needs to control and understand what is happening. In such situations, conspiracy theories provide a simple explanation of a complex reality and create a sense of manageability.

"Any conspiracy explanation gives a person the illusion of control. It's as if this complex, chaotic world <...> is being replaced by some simple model with a diagram," the expert noted.

According to her, there are basic psychological needs behind this: the desire for certainty, security and self-importance. Even an alarming explanation, according to the expert, is perceived by the brain more easily than complete uncertainty.

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Birch added that the propensity for such theories is associated with increased anxiety, distrust of institutions, and cognitive distortions when a person searches for patterns where there are none. At the same time, the level of education alone does not guarantee critical thinking.

"A more productive strategy is to keep in touch with them, not devalue them, gently ask some clarifying questions to stimulate independent thinking in a different direction," she stressed.

According to the expert, pressure and attempts to refute beliefs can strengthen the defensive reaction. Instead, it's important to discuss a person's feelings, including anxiety and fears, and provide support. In most cases, interest in conspiracy theories is not dangerous, but in extreme forms it can increase anxiety, isolation and distort the perception of reality.

The expert noted that such beliefs should be considered as a reaction of the psyche to stress and an unstable information environment in which a person seeks to find simple and understandable explanations for what is happening.

Clinical psychologist Anastasia Helemelya said on April 24 that interest in true extreme content is related to an attempt to understand the nature of evil, reduce anxiety and learn to recognize danger. According to the expert, an interest in the psychology of criminals helps people cope with uncertainty. Encountering violent and inexplicable actions causes cognitive dissonance, and trying to understand the attacker's motives allows you to regain a sense of predictability in the world.