Researchers Studied Which Generation Believes The Most Conspiracy Theories, And The Results Are Genuinely Surprising

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

When it comes to falling down a rabbit hole with conspiracy theories ― QAnon, the “Plandemic” conspiracy theory ― it’s young people, not older demographics, who are more prone to buy into such beliefs.

Age is the most significant predictor of conspiracy beliefs among all other factors, according to a study that was recently published in the journal Political Psychology. And it’s people under 35 who are consistently more likely to endorse conspiratorial ideas than any other age group.

“From age 35 on, susceptibility to conspiracy theories decreases relatively steadily across older age groups,” said Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau, a research Fellow at the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.

Political conspiracy theories are pushing more and more family relationships to the breaking point. It’s not uncommon to hear about siblings who are estranged over extremist political views or people who “lost” their family members to QAnon, a conspiracy theory that posits that a satanic cabal of elites and pedophiles is working behind the scenes to orchestrate global events and enslave children.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/age-group-most-likely-fall-202715284.html

[cachukis]

1. Gonna have to think this through.

[JI7]

2. I think for the current times it has to do with social media

[hlthe2b]

5. Yes... They are bombarded with this crap and don't have the lived experience that makes one automatically

SKEPTICAL.

[Attilatheblond]

3. In some issues, there's no substitute for experience

For a long time, I have wondered if GOP culture war issues that divide generations are not planned. The youngs could be helped by voices of experience with years of observation. The olds could benefit from the enthusiasm of youth. The GOP wants everybody bickering and fighting so there is little united front to face them down.


But, at recent local protests, am noticing all the hair isn't gray anymore. Young people with sidewalk chalk, bubble 'guns' and a lot of passion are keeping us olds invigorated and on our toes! Veterans, old, middle aged, and young are spending time comparing and sharing experiences. The younger ones seem to be truly enjoying the discussions with the gray hairs.

Nothing like a common enemy, I reckon.

[drray23]

4. its pretty obvious why.

Younger people have been immersed in social media since birth. Most of them do not read traditional newspapers (whether its paper or digital), do not watch network TV news, do not pay attention to politics. They get their news from social media and do not question whether the information they get is real or not.

[mr715]

6. Why is this surprising?

Access to infinite information doesn't mean people can critically think. We aren't by nature smart like crows or dolphins...

[senseandsensibility]

7. I knew (or strongly suspected) this

already. Young people should receive critical thinking instruction in school. I remember as a teacher we actually taught lessons in "e-mail" or online etiquette to second graders. It was a recognized need. Critical thinking skills for social media consumption should be a top priority.

[Basso8vb]

8. This isn't surprising.

They are deliberately undereducated and bombarded with endless propaganda on social media.

[fujiyamasan]

9. Stupid buzzfeed headline

What is so “genuinely surprising” about this?

Younger people admit to getting “news” from TikTok vs. Facebook for older people. That’s the only difference. Same shit, different platform.

[Easterncedar]

10. They're not the only ones

I met with some friends recently, school teachers, who are still working, although well past retirement age. I’ve always thought of them as exceptionally aware, well informed and intelligent. They resisted the fox brainwashing. I was really shocked to hear them say they were convinced by a podcast that there’s proof that some nonverbal autistic kids communicate by telepathy. They advised me to listen to it myself. Comments about the podcast online indicate that it’s very convincing until you go over the paywall for the video and the scam becomes obvious. it’s disturbing that these otherwise sensible people have come to believe this. I guess no one is immune.