Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories

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What is the main difference in public response to major events versus minor events, according to the text?

Major events elicit more conspiracy theories, while minor events are accepted with simple explanations. (correct)

Minor events generate more conspiracy theories, while major events are accepted with simple explanations.

Major events are easily explained, while minor events provoke skepticism.

Both major and minor events are typically accompanied by conspiracy theories.

What real-life event serves as a perfect example of the proportionality bias described in the text?

The TWA 800 plane explosion over Long Island

The US Airways flight crash-landing on the Hudson River

The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s

The Kennedy assassination (correct)

Which event led to enduring and popular conspiracy theories, according to the text?

The TWA 800 plane explosion over Long Island

The Kennedy assassination (correct)

The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan

The US Airways flight crash-landing on the Hudson River

How do people generally react to small events according to the text?

Reject conspiracy theories Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic outcome of the US Airways flight that crash-landed on the Hudson River?

No serious injuries or deaths, all passengers survived Signup and view all the answers

How did people generally react to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan?

Accepted simple explanations Signup and view all the answers

What is one key factor influencing people's receptiveness to conspiracy theories according to the text?

Proportionality bias Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of major events that makes people more inclined to consider conspiracy theories?

Shock value and magnitude of consequences Signup and view all the answers

Which type of explanation do people often find unsatisfactory for major, shocking events according to the proportionality bias?

Simple and straightforward reasons Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the visual illusion described in the text?

The Kanizsa triangle Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature of the Kanizsa triangle illusion that the text highlights?

The triangle appears to be a different shade of white than the background. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the Kanizsa triangle illusion?

The brain is filling in the missing details to create a complete triangle shape. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point the text makes about people's ability to recognize patterns in the world?

People have a fundamental ability to recognize patterns, but this ability can also lead to seeing illusory patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What did the 2008 study by Whitson and Galinsky examine?

The various forms of illusory pattern recognition, including visual, superstitious, and financial. Signup and view all the answers

What was the key finding of the Whitson and Galinsky study regarding the factors that influence illusory pattern recognition?

People were more likely to see patterns when they were uncertain or anxious about the outcome of events. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the examples of visual arrays presented in the text?

To show how the brain can create meaningful patterns out of random visual information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best summarizes the main message of the text?

Pattern recognition is a double-edged sword, as it allows us to find meaning but can also lead to seeing illusory connections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Kanizsa triangle illusion described in the text?

To highlight the brain's tendency to fill in missing information in visual stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the overall approach taken in the text?

An educational overview of the fundamental human ability to recognize patterns in the world. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Louis Stephen Witt have the same umbrella 15 years after the assassination?

Things were made to last back then, so the umbrella was still usable. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Witt waving the black umbrella at President Kennedy?

To intentionally heckle and annoy President Kennedy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the connection between the black umbrella and the Kennedy family?

President Kennedy's father, Joseph Kennedy, had been criticized for his policy of appeasement towards the Nazis. Signup and view all the answers

What was the committee's reaction when they opened Witt's umbrella and found no gun inside?

They were disappointed and had hoped to find a gun. Signup and view all the answers

What did John Updike mean when he said the umbrella man 'shows how perilously empiricism verges on magic'?

The facts about the umbrella and the assassination were not enough to fully explain what happened. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main point of the passage?

To discuss the psychological biases that lead to conspiracy theories. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Guinness world record' that Witt said he would have won?

Coincidentally being present during a presidential assassination. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the black umbrella to the Kennedy family?

It was associated with the appeasement policies of Neville Chamberlain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Witt's actions in waving the black umbrella at President Kennedy?

To intentionally heckle and annoy President Kennedy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the open umbrella in the committee's investigation?

It was a clue that there may have been a gun hidden inside. Signup and view all the answers

According to the study by Karen Douglas, what did participants rate the shapes on?

How conscious and motivated the shapes appeared Signup and view all the answers

What was the key finding of Karen Douglas's study?

The more conscious and motivated participants perceived the shapes, the more likely they were to believe in conspiracy theories. Signup and view all the answers

In the study using ambiguous sentences, what did the researchers quantify?

The number of sentences participants interpreted as intentional events Signup and view all the answers

What was the key finding of the study using ambiguous sentences?

Participants who interpreted more sentences as intentional were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'intentionality bias' refer to?

The tendency to interpret ambiguous events as happening intentionally rather than accidentally Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'intentionality bias' relate to belief in conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories assume events happen intentionally, so those with a stronger intentionality bias are more likely to believe them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'proportionality bias'?

The tendency to assume that big events have big causes, and small events have small causes Signup and view all the answers

How might the proportionality bias relate to belief in conspiracy theories?

The proportionality bias would make people more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, as they would assume big events have big causes. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is an example of an ambiguous event that could be interpreted as either intentional or accidental?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cognitive bias related to belief in conspiracy theories in the passage?

Hindsight bias Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the author got interested in the 'weird side of psychology' early in their career?

They were drawn to anything unconventional or unusual in psychology Signup and view all the answers

What was the key factor that was putting pressure on the NASA employees in the thought experiment to fake the moon landing?

The Cold War and the space race between the US and USSR Signup and view all the answers

According to the study by Douglas and Sutton, what was the average score on a scale of 1-7 for students' willingness to participate in the various conspiracies described?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What was the key psychological bias that the authors of the study argued was reflected in the students' responses?

Conspiracy ideation Signup and view all the answers

What was the key influence on the author's early interest in the 'weird side of psychology'?

Their exposure to books on science and skepticism, like James Randi's 'Flim-Flam' Signup and view all the answers

What was the key factor that led the author to explore the psychology of conspiracy theories in their career?

Their early fascination with 'anything a little bit weird' in psychology Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the thought experiment described in the passage?

To understand the psychological factors that could lead someone to believe in conspiracy theories Signup and view all the answers

What was the key reason given in the passage for why the US felt pressure to reach the moon before the Soviets?

The Cold War and the space race between the two superpowers Signup and view all the answers

According to the study by Douglas and Sutton, what was the key difference between the students who said they would be willing to participate in the conspiracies and those who said they would not?

The willingness group had a stronger belief in the actual conspiracy theories Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason the author wanted to 'salute' James Randi in their talk?

Randi's books on science and skepticism had a major influence on the author's early interest in 'weird psychology' Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the primary reason people tend to see the shapes in the video as representing a story with characters, rather than just a display of arbitrary geometric shapes?

People have a natural tendency to anthropomorphize and ascribe motives to even simple visual stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection made in the passage between projection bias and people's acceptance of conspiracy theories?

Projection bias can lead people to assume others are also prone to conspiratorial thinking, making conspiracy theories seem more plausible. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the experiment with the moving shapes described in the passage?

To demonstrate how easily people anthropomorphize even simple visual stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

How does the passage suggest Freud's concept of projection differs from the modern psychological understanding of projection bias?

Freud focused on projection of socially undesirable traits, while modern psychology applies the concept more broadly to any kind of perspective-taking. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the original study with the moving shapes and the version described in the passage?

The original study used no music, while the version in the passage added music for dramatic effect. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the key reason the experiment with the moving shapes is considered a "classic" in social psychology?

It illustrated the human tendency to perceive even simple stimuli in terms of human-like motives and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason the passage suggests people often see the shapes in the video as representing a story with characters, rather than just arbitrary geometric shapes?

People have a natural psychological tendency to anthropomorphize and ascribe motives to visual stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest is the key connection between projection bias and people's acceptance of conspiracy theories?

Projection bias leads people to assume others are also prone to conspiratorial thinking, making conspiracy theories seem more plausible. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, how does the modern psychological understanding of projection differ from Freud's original conception of the concept?

Freud focused on projection of socially undesirable traits, while modern psychology applies the concept more broadly to any kind of perspective-taking. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main lesson or takeaway the passage suggests we can learn from the experiment with the moving shapes?

We should be wary of how easily contextual cues can shape our interpretations of ambiguous information. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what was the primary reason the authors argue for people's tendency to see patterns and meanings in ambiguous data?

An inherent human trait to seek order and understanding Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction of conspiracy theorists upon noticing the man with the umbrella in the Zapruder film?

They thought he might have been involved in the assassination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the "umbrella man" is NOT supported by the passage?

He was an undercover CIA agent involved in the assassination Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what did the government investigation in the 1970s reveal about the "umbrella man"?

He was an insurance salesman living in Dallas Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information in the passage, which of the following statements is most likely true?

The "umbrella man" was simply an innocent bystander Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the "umbrella man" example in the context of the passage?

It illustrates the authors' point about pattern-seeking tendencies Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, which of the following statements about the Zapruder film is true?

It shows the moment when Kennedy was struck by the first bullet Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, which of the following statements about the findings of the authors is true?

People are more likely to endorse conspiracy theories when feeling powerless Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the "umbrella man" example in the context of the passage?

To illustrate how conspiracy theories can arise from ambiguous information Signup and view all the answers

According to the information in the passage, which of the following statements about the authors' findings is false?

People feeling powerful are more likely to endorse conspiracy theories Signup and view all the answers

Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference in public response to major events versus minor events, according to the text?

What real-life event serves as a perfect example of the proportionality bias described in the text?

Which event led to enduring and popular conspiracy theories, according to the text?

How do people generally react to small events according to the text?

What was a characteristic outcome of the US Airways flight that crash-landed on the Hudson River?

How did people generally react to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan?

What is one key factor influencing people's receptiveness to conspiracy theories according to the text?

What is one characteristic of major events that makes people more inclined to consider conspiracy theories?

Which type of explanation do people often find unsatisfactory for major, shocking events according to the proportionality bias?

What is the name of the visual illusion described in the text?

What is the key feature of the Kanizsa triangle illusion that the text highlights?

What is the reason for the Kanizsa triangle illusion?

What is the main point the text makes about people's ability to recognize patterns in the world?

What did the 2008 study by Whitson and Galinsky examine?

What was the key finding of the Whitson and Galinsky study regarding the factors that influence illusory pattern recognition?

What is the primary purpose of the examples of visual arrays presented in the text?

Which of the following best summarizes the main message of the text?

What is the primary function of the Kanizsa triangle illusion described in the text?

Which of the following best describes the overall approach taken in the text?

Why did Louis Stephen Witt have the same umbrella 15 years after the assassination?

What was the purpose of Witt waving the black umbrella at President Kennedy?

What was the connection between the black umbrella and the Kennedy family?

What was the committee's reaction when they opened Witt's umbrella and found no gun inside?

What did John Updike mean when he said the umbrella man 'shows how perilously empiricism verges on magic'?

What was the main point of the passage?

What was the 'Guinness world record' that Witt said he would have won?

What was the significance of the black umbrella to the Kennedy family?

What was the purpose of Witt's actions in waving the black umbrella at President Kennedy?

What was the significance of the open umbrella in the committee's investigation?

According to the study by Karen Douglas, what did participants rate the shapes on?

What was the key finding of Karen Douglas's study?

In the study using ambiguous sentences, what did the researchers quantify?

What was the key finding of the study using ambiguous sentences?

What does the term 'intentionality bias' refer to?

How does the 'intentionality bias' relate to belief in conspiracy theories?

What is the 'proportionality bias'?

How might the proportionality bias relate to belief in conspiracy theories?

According to the passage, what is an example of an ambiguous event that could be interpreted as either intentional or accidental?

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cognitive bias related to belief in conspiracy theories in the passage?

What was the primary reason the author got interested in the 'weird side of psychology' early in their career?

What was the key factor that was putting pressure on the NASA employees in the thought experiment to fake the moon landing?

According to the study by Douglas and Sutton, what was the average score on a scale of 1-7 for students' willingness to participate in the various conspiracies described?

What was the key psychological bias that the authors of the study argued was reflected in the students' responses?

What was the key influence on the author's early interest in the 'weird side of psychology'?

What was the key factor that led the author to explore the psychology of conspiracy theories in their career?

What was the purpose of the thought experiment described in the passage?

What was the key reason given in the passage for why the US felt pressure to reach the moon before the Soviets?

According to the study by Douglas and Sutton, what was the key difference between the students who said they would be willing to participate in the conspiracies and those who said they would not?

What was the main reason the author wanted to 'salute' James Randi in their talk?

According to the passage, what is the primary reason people tend to see the shapes in the video as representing a story with characters, rather than just a display of arbitrary geometric shapes?

What is the connection made in the passage between projection bias and people's acceptance of conspiracy theories?

What is the main purpose of the experiment with the moving shapes described in the passage?

How does the passage suggest Freud's concept of projection differs from the modern psychological understanding of projection bias?

What is the main difference between the original study with the moving shapes and the version described in the passage?

According to the passage, what is the key reason the experiment with the moving shapes is considered a "classic" in social psychology?

What is the main reason the passage suggests people often see the shapes in the video as representing a story with characters, rather than just arbitrary geometric shapes?

What does the passage suggest is the key connection between projection bias and people's acceptance of conspiracy theories?

According to the passage, how does the modern psychological understanding of projection differ from Freud's original conception of the concept?

What is the main lesson or takeaway the passage suggests we can learn from the experiment with the moving shapes?

According to the passage, what was the primary reason the authors argue for people's tendency to see patterns and meanings in ambiguous data?

What was the initial reaction of conspiracy theorists upon noticing the man with the umbrella in the Zapruder film?

Which of the following statements about the "umbrella man" is NOT supported by the passage?

According to the passage, what did the government investigation in the 1970s reveal about the "umbrella man"?

Based on the information in the passage, which of the following statements is most likely true?

Which of the following best describes the role of the "umbrella man" example in the context of the passage?

According to the passage, which of the following statements about the Zapruder film is true?

According to the passage, which of the following statements about the findings of the authors is true?

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the "umbrella man" example in the context of the passage?

According to the information in the passage, which of the following statements about the authors' findings is false?

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