Joe

“Evidence suggests that the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories is driven by motives that can be characterized as epistemic (needing to understand one’s environment), existential (needing to feel safe and in control of one’s environment), and social (needing to maintain a positive image of oneself and one’s in-group) (Douglas et al., 2017).”
― Steven Taylor, The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak of Infectious Disease

“People with high levels of health anxiety sometimes regard clinics as a source of sickness rather than a resource for help.”
― Steven Taylor, The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak of Infectious Disease

“But many other people will fail to adhere to the recommendations of health authorities. These people will engage in seeming self-defeating behaviors such as refusing to get vaccinated, if a vaccine is available. These people will refuse to stay home when they are sick. They will spread infection to other people.”
― Steven Taylor, The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak of Infectious Disease

“Conspiracy theories may also allow people to feel that they possess rare, important information that other people do not have, making them feel special and thus boosting their self-esteem.”
― Steven Taylor, The Psychology of Pandemics: Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak of Infectious Disease