Do you believe the moon landing was staged, vaccines cause autism, and Bush did 9/11? While you're wrong, that doesn't mean you are being paranoid. It' just means you're a conspiracy theorist.
Despite the common association, a new paper published in The European Journal of Social Psychology finds that belief in conspiracy theories is not the same thing as paranoia.
"Although both assume sinister intentions of others, beliefs in conspiracy theories are more specific in who these others are (powerful groups) than paranoia (everyone)," the study says. While there is overlap between conspiracy theorists and people with clinical paranoia, there are distinct differences.
While casual use of the word "paranoia" has muddied its clinical definition, a psychiatrist would only diagnose someone with paranoia if that person believes that the world is out to get them specifically. Conspiracy theorists believe that small, powerful groups are out to get just about everyone.
According to Psypost, the researchers reviewed previous studies that found an overlap between the two conditions. Then they conducted their own surveys, with 209 German and 400 American participants. They measured both qualities by asking participants how much they agreed with statements like "There are certain political circles with secret agendas that are very influential" or "I need to be on my guard against others," Psypost reported.
They found that beliefs in conspiracy theories were linked to socio-political factors, and had more to do with the people who surround you than your intrinsic personality. Paranoid feelings are the opposite: they are more common among people with certain personality traits. People who are paranoid aren't as likely to be surrounded by people with the same beliefs, whereas conspiracy theorists are.
Because of these significant differences, the researchers hope that going forward, psychologists and psychiatrists will remember that paranoia and conspiracy beliefs are distinct and should be treated as such.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Kristin is a science journalist in New York who has lived in DC, Boston, LA, and the SF Bay Area. ... Read more
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