Does your otherwise sensible friend believe chem trails are part of a sinister government plot?

Do they regale you with far-out theories about Area 51?

Just why do people believe in conspiracy theories? Do you?

Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host Dr. Jade Wu. Every week I'll help you meet

life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Today we explore the fascinating psychology of

conspiracy theories. Why people want to believe them, how they take root and

spread in our minds minds and even possible biological causes.

At a dinner party last year,

I was just casually saying how silly

I thought my brother-in-law was for believing in chem trails when a couple

whom I consider to be very reasonable people responded that the government really

does use them for population control. To be fair, they were shocked that

I, a person they thought to be very reasonable, refused to set up my face ID on my iPhone because

I'm pretty sure they will use it for surveillance,

even though I'm not sure who they are. Conspiracy theories have always fascinated me.

When I was 13, I worshipped Blink 182

and nodded along to Tom Delonges' theories about Area 51.

Now that I'm older and a psychologist, I'm much more interested in

the psychology of how and why people believe in conspiracy theories. Although, you know, I'm still a little bit curious

about Area 51.

But first, what are conspiracy theories?

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