Author and conspiracy theory expert Jesse Walker said that the human tendency to create false stories and hold dubious beliefs is constant [1].
This persistence matters because these narratives often fill a psychological void, providing a sense of certainty to individuals facing a chaotic global environment [2]. By understanding the root causes of these beliefs, society can better address the spread of misinformation.
During an interview with Judy Woodruff at the PBS NewsHour studio, Walker said conspiracy theories are a human tendency that requires constant maintenance and awareness [1]. He said that people will continue to generate false stories regardless of the evidence available [1].
Psychological research supports the idea that these theories satisfy a fundamental need for order. Researchers at Flinders University said that when the world feels messy, a story that ties every thread into one knot can feel like relief [2]. This cognitive need for structured explanations allows individuals to feel they have mastered a complex situation [2].
However, the drivers of these beliefs can vary. Some reports suggest that persistence is fueled by personal or familial distrust of institutions, such as vaccine skepticism [3]. Other perspectives emphasize the cognitive drive for order over specific institutional distrust [2].
Walker said that the transmission of these ideas is reinforced by ongoing misinformation and social networks [1]. Because these theories provide an emotional anchor, they are often more resilient than factual corrections. The process of debunking is frequently undermined by the very psychological needs that make the theories attractive in the first place [1].
“"People are going to generate false stories. People are gonna have dubious beliefs."”
The endurance of conspiracy theories is not merely a failure of education or a lack of facts, but a psychological coping mechanism. By framing these beliefs as a response to chaos, the discussion shifts from treating believers as irrational to recognizing a systemic human vulnerability that misinformation campaigns exploit.
