The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories: Why do people believe them?

A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that posits the involvement of a group working in secret to achieve a common goal.

Conspiracy theories typically center around allegations of government involvement in events like the assassination of JFK or the 9/11 attacks. Trying to make sense of such events is like putting together a puzzle with missing pieces. 

People fill in the gaps with their own theories, in the absence of complete knowledge of the situation. This is why conspiracy theories are often difficult to disprove, as the lack of evidence for one theory often leads to speculation about the other, making it hard to draw definite conclusions about what happened. This is why it is important to gather as much information as possible when trying to make sense of an event. Evidence-based information is the key to understanding what really happened, and ultimately to debunking conspiracy theories. It's essential to remain skeptical and to always question the information we are presented with. 

We must always be willing to challenge our own beliefs and to evaluate new evidence objectively, without bias. A critical and inquisitive mindset is the only way to ultimately uncover the truth. The term "evidence-based information" was first used in 1981 by a group of clinical epidemiologists at McMaster University in Canada. As Charles Darwin once wrote: “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.” The group, led by David Sackett, published a series of articles in the Canadian Medical Association Journal advising physicians how to appraise the medical literature. 

This was a revolutionary concept at the time as it was one of the first attempts to make evidence-based medicine a mainstream practice. It was also in line with Darwin's observation that knowledge and research are essential to making informed decisions. This concept was quickly embraced by physicians and researchers, who saw the potential for using scientific methods to improve patient care and outcomes. 

Today, the practice of evidence-based medicine is firmly established and has become an integral part of modern medical practice. Evidence-based medicine is a process of making decisions about patient care that incorporates the best available evidence from clinical research, along with the patient's own preferences and values. It has been credited with significant improvements in patient outcomes and is continuing to revolutionize the practice of medicine. 

Evidence-based medicine is now the standard of care in many medical institutions, and is helping to drive the transformation of healthcare delivery. It is increasingly being adopted as the basis of medical decision-making by healthcare professionals, and is a key element of medical education. 

For instance, in the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produces evidence-based clinical guidelines for healthcare professionals to use in the clinical setting. These guidelines are regularly updated and are an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals, allowing them to make informed decisions based on the best available evidence. This has been a major factor in improving healthcare outcomes and reducing medical costs. NICE guidelines have been adopted by many countries around the world, and they have had an enormous impact on improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. They have also been instrumental in driving down healthcare costs. NICE guidelines are regularly reviewed and updated in order to ensure they remain evidence-based and current. 

This ensures healthcare professionals are able to provide the best care possible to their patients. However, some argue that the NICE guidelines are too rigid and that they do not allow for enough clinical judgement. Healthcare professionals may be hesitant to deviate from the guidelines, even when they believe it is in the best interest of their patient. This could lead to sub-optimal patient care. To prevent this, healthcare professionals should receive more training on how to interpret and apply the guidelines according to the individual needs of their patients. 

Additionally, they should be encouraged to take initiative when they believe it is necessary to deviate from the guidelines. This approach could help healthcare professionals to develop their critical thinking skills and make decisions based on a patient's individual needs, rather than simply following the guidelines. This could lead to improved patient outcomes, as the care provided would be tailored to the individual. For example, a healthcare professional may choose to deviate from the guidelines if a patient's medical history, lifestyle or other factors suggest a different treatment would be more beneficial. This could also reduce the risk of patients being over-treated or under-treated. It may also reduce the cost of healthcare, as treatments would be more tailored to the individual and more efficient.

Conspiracy theories can have a significant impact on society, especially in the era of social media and the 24-hour news cycle. One of the most concerning effects is the polarization and mistrust that they can create. Conspiracy theories often promote a "us vs. them" mentality, where those who believe in the conspiracy are part of an enlightened group that is being persecuted by the rest of society. This can lead to a breakdown in social cohesion and increased hostility towards those who hold different beliefs. Conspiracy theories can also contribute to the spread of misinformation and distrust in established institutions, such as the government and scientific community. This can have real-world consequences, such as decreased vaccination rates, reluctance to follow public health guidelines during a pandemic, and even violent attacks on government buildings or individuals who are seen as part of the supposed conspiracy. Therefore, it's important to approach conspiracy theories critically and to promote evidence-based thinking to help mitigate their impact on society.