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General News    H3'ed 5/20/20

The Hidden Psychology of Pandemics and Conspiracy Theories

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Nowadays, people claim that there is no corona virus, doubt the news media, and believe that almost literally everything we see is being faked. It's easy to doubt our senses in a day and age with photoshop, online propaganda and government scandals and cover-ups. However, the "denial" conspiracy theories take it a step further. People stuck in this phase will refuse to do anything differently, balking at quarantines, wearing a mask or hand-washing.

Anger is the next stage. In a crisis such as the Corona crisis, people in some areas, such as Brazil, are angry that the government is not helping enough, whereas in other countries, such as Germany, people are convinced that the shutdown was too extreme. In the anger stage, people are irrational and lash out at anyone, including the elected officials, doctors, immigrants or anyone else. Cultural factors can cause a person or a group, and even a nation, to get stuck in this stage, especially if vulnerable feelings like sadness or fear are repressed.

While anger is itself neither good nor bad, misusing it to promote violence is a common tactic of political and religious groups on the far right or far left. In grief counselling, "Why me?" is often followed by, "Why not you?" against those not affected. Those stuck at this stage in a societal level will direct their anger on anyone who is not bearing the brunt of the catastrophe. In the wake of 9/11, for example, a rumour was spread by social media sites, claiming that no Jews died in the collapse of the World Trade Centre (which was obviously untrue), and that Orthodox Jews were seen celebrating at the time. Anger seeks a scapegoat, and emotionally weak people get stuck in this stage, playing the blame game and playing the role of the angry victim. Meanwhile, anger mixed with denial feeds into paranoid conspiracy theories which explain everything as a plot by the government or evil elitists.
Anger can, of course, be channeled into positive action: action to help those in need, or taking steps to prevent a similar catastrophe.

The bargaining stage involves attempting to negotiate or gain control of the situation. We see people trying to find ways to prevent or mitigate the problem. At this stage, people want some kind of "magical cure", either a religious one (by praying) or a secular one (alternative medicine or homemade remedies, such as silver water, bleach, salt water, etc.). At this stage, people will grasp at straws, seeking in vain for a way out. It is imperative that they not be given false hope. At its best, this stage can help a person to open up to change, new ideas and new opportunities. At its worst, people will seek out a conspiracy theory that simplifies a complex problem, often in the form of the "health secret the government does not want you to know".

The next stages are the most negative ones. Guilt and depression follow anger, and on a political level, it means grieving for what will never return. People blame themselves for not having done more and can be stuck in toxic shame if they feel they did not do enough. At this passive stage, life comes to a standstill as people survey their losses. During pandemics, religious people often interpret an epidemic as the wrath of God, appealing to people in the guilt stage of grief.

After going through these stages, acceptance and hope are the last and final stages.

Fortunately, people with strong coping skills and resilience can go through these stages without getting permanently stuck or resorting to magical thinking.

So now that we know about how people react during a pandemic, the question remains: why are some people so vulnerable to believing conspiracy theories, especially when some of them are so absurd? It's easy to dismiss anyone protesting the government as a kook, or to see these people as stupid. However, as we have seen, people who are grieving loss are at the mercy of powerful, primal emotions, and conspiracy theories which tap into these emotions are more about feelings than facts.

These theories follow familiar patterns, and like a fairy tale or comic book, they simplify life's ambiguities into tales of absolute good and absolute evil. Half-truths are mixed with fancifully spun narratives, in which all of humanity are divided into passive sheep and enlightened heroes. They follow a dystopian, pessimistic and often fatalistic view of life. Instead of complex solutions, they present simplistic solutions such as a "magic remedy". They are truly the modern form of post-religious secular theology, in which vast, superior elites control all of the world, much like the myths of ancient Greece and Rome explained all tragedies and displeasure of the gods and goddesses.

The appeal, however, is paradoxical: we are offered affirmation that the world is not out of control, and that powerful forces are at work. However, the dystopian, sinister aspect means that those in power are evil, not good. Ironically, believers of conspiracy theories believe that they are "free thinkers", but they also tend to find great relief in being told exactly what they want to believe, and are thus relieved of the burden of having to figure out complex problems on their own.

Some believers in conspiracy theories are content with the affirmation that they are "in the know" and better than the authorities and experts. The narrative allows them to be the heroes of their own lives, and spread the message to others. For the truly dedicated believer, however, there are only two choices: fatalism or rebellion. And since rebellion against a shadowy elite is futile, the narrative of doom demands a fiery martyrdom. This is the political and social danger of conspiracy theories- that they, in the end, almost demand a violent response.

Like the child crying over the monster under his bed, these people are not seeking facts, but comfort and order in a cold, chaotic world. These narratives are factually incorrect, but they are emotionally real, and they show us the fears that we have been avoiding: fear of death, fear of illness, fear of government control, and fear of the rich and powerful who control so much of our lives.

People who fall for these ideas are vulnerable because they feel powerless and vulnerable. Bereft of the mature coping skills that resilient adults have, they often remain stuck in a stage of grieving, making them easy prey to those who misuse conspiracy theories for political or social gain. It is easier than ever for foreign governments, propaganda networks, hustlers of fake medicine or fake alternative to mislead the gullible.

So how do we counteract conspiracy theories and fake news? The well-known tactic of using facts to dispel conspiracy theories makes as much sense as trying to convince a four-year-old that monsters don't exist. Instead, politicians and the media need to acknowledge people's fears and concerns, rational or not, and help vulnerable people get through their grieving process through dialogue. We also need better mental health resources, so people suffering from anxiety or depression can get the help they need.

References:
Evans, R. Why Pandemics Create Conspiracy Theories, New Statesman
click here
Astro Twins, Plagues and Pandemics.Jupiter-Pluto Conjunctions in History- What Astrology Knows
click here Nehring, C. Coronavirus and the Plague: The disease of viral conspiracy theories
click here
Bronstad, D. Stages of Grief and Recovery.
.stages-of-grief-recovery.com/7-stages-of-grief.html
Cherry, K. Understanding Grief in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic
click here
Changing Minds: The Kugler-Ross Grief Cycle
click here

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Born in Camden, NJ, now living in Germany, T.M. Elkins is an educator, author, composer, jazz musician and singer, and founder of Christians against Bush. She eschews labels and "isms", is non-denominational and firmly believes in modern secular (more...)
 
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