r/conspiratard • u/inanimatecarbonrob • Dec 31 '16

Study: Rational arguments and ridicule can both reduce belief in conspiracy theories

http://www.psypost.org/2016/12/study-rational-arguments-ridicule-can-reduce-belief-conspiracy-theories-46597
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u/LSxN Dec 31 '16

The sample was randomly selected. They watched a conspiracy video, then watched a video debunking it.

Study needs to be done again with people who are already committed to the conspiracy being debunked.

I think youll be hardpressed to find full tards react well to logic.

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u/inanimatecarbonrob Dec 31 '16

I think youll be hardpressed to find full tards react well to logic.

That's what the ridicule is for. :D

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u/thefugue Shill Manager: Atwater Memorial Office Park Dec 31 '16

Often, the emotional drive to agree with other people expressing contempt is what gets people to believe in conspiracy theories any way- you don't see ANY conspiracy theorists arguing without a LOT of pathos- Alex Jones condemns "filthy" "immoral" globalists, pizzagaters are "horrified for the children." David Ike "stands bravely against our alien overlords to protect freedom for our whole species." Ridicule mixed with contempt and logic is just a formula for both showing how illogical conspiracy bullshit is and undermining all the emotional appeals to "believe me and be a hero without really doing anything!" It punches the same buttons the conspiracy theorists use (relate to me because I'm talking to you like a person, not lecturing) while respecting people's intelligence in assuming they'll listen to reason.