A recent study has been conducted into the behaviors of the conspiracy theorist, in an attempt to understand why they believe in what they do, and how they promote such beliefs. Scientists in Italy, have tested the notion that those who actively seek out conspiracy theory-promoting news will be more likely to believe in false claims. Comparable to the scientifically minded counterparts, the study claims that the conspiracy theorist tends to rarely venture into mainstream news, as opposed to the mainstream oriented people willing to cross into both sides of the media, to post comments.
The researchers largely base their results on a tracking study established on Facebook; examining the likes, comments and shares of 1.2 million people, and their behavior resulting around those interactions. Other information examined included the monitoring of “troll” information surrounding 4700 subjects that were obviously false. The reported findings state that the conspiracy theorist was more likely to like and share information, than those who were more compelled to remain within the mainstream side of current world issues.
“The World Wide Web has changed the dynamics of information transmission as well as the agenda-setting process. Relevance of facts, in particular when related to social relevant issues, mingle with half-truths and untruths to create informational blends. In such a scenario, as pointed out by individuals can be uninformed or misinformed and the role of corrections in the diffusion and formation of biased beliefs are not effective”. [1]
On the other side of the research, Walter Quattrociocchi, one of the study’s authors,’ added that the study’s intention is to “quantify social phenomena,” not just with conspiracy theorists, but with the skeptic community who are also capable of constructing, what he calls, their “echo chamber.”
The echo chamber, is considered to be the construction of a space where pre-existing beliefs and social reinforcement through the Facebook interactions occur. Mainstream or alternate, each person is likely to construct their own chamber based on reinforcements on what they are posting. By researching the “Facebook echo chamber,” Quattrociocchi and his colleagues, are hoping to understand why the alternative news has become so contagious.
The study notates “however, the World Economic Forum listed massive digital misinformation as one of the main risks for modern society,” despite the “enthusiastic rhetoric about the collective intelligence”. [2]
The study appears to have a bias against those who read alternative news; however, it sheds light on the continuing phenomena of mass consumption on particular issues within the Facebook echo chamber. Ultimately, they have concluded that regardless of the subject, once reinforced, is difficult to sway the reader toward other opinions.
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[1] Bessi, A., Coletto, M., Alexandru Davidescu, G., Scala, A., Caldarelli, G., Quattrociocchi, W. Science vs Conspiracy: Collective Narratives in the Age of Misinformation. Retrieved from (2015) http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0118093#abstract0
[2] Ibid.
This study is manipulation and does not prove anything. Lots of people post stuff about god, lets see how many people believe a “Jesus will bless you if you share” or “like this and god will bring you too heaven”. Complete bullshit but people do that too. Study that and get the same result.
cool story bro =3
I like to look at how many subjects were once considered to be a “conspiracy theory” that have proven to have a solid foundation of truth. The issue now is that with all the declassified information floating around from the past 60 years, we now have to assume that something new is conspiratorial; especially when something is off or odd about it. This would include things like the 9/11 attack coinciding with a drill of the twin towers being hit by commercial airliners, or the attacks in London on 7/7 that coincided with the subways being bombed; the same subways that were eventually bombed.
Is this an Governmental site?
Don’t fall for nonsense… Find out what is really going to happen on Earth!
http://www.blue-planet-project.com/Conversation-With-Aliens-Alien-Messages.html
Ok i believe anything… but i refuse to accept this society (corruptions, nazism, racism) I prefer to believe in alien life than this shit.
The term, ” Conspiracy Theorists” is a derogatory word made up, (by the CIA), just to make Truthers look bad. it is no different than calling a black person a Niger. Mexican = wetback or calling people FAGS… please quit using this term for us Truthers. We do not like being called ignorant titles any more than any other human being.
so you mean that we are stupid to read the articles you write, right?
Haha good point^^^. I will believe whatever has more factual evidence. And in all honesty: mainstream does not mean true. There was a study done where they asked subjects a question and if enough people gave the false answer, the group would go along with what they said. Most people will believe it if they see it enough times, not bothering to fact check. At least many “Conspiracy Theorists” do their research. Give them some respect.
I Niether Believe Nor Disbelieve In Anything.
I make no assumptions. I follow every lead i can, but stop when no evidence shows. Concrete evidence is what I go by, but still keep an open mind.
I Neither Believe Nor Disbelieve In Anything. I don’t make assumptions, but I do keep an open mind. Concrete evidence is what I go by. I report only the evidence, and let the opinions of the public go wild. Then I study thier reactions.