Today’s global instability has fostered a growing number of bizarre conspiracy theories. The Polish-American social psychologist Arie Kruglanski demonstrates how the timeless human need for meaning influences thinking, emotions, and behavior. His latest work provides an evidence-based insight into why people turn to extreme beliefs, especially during crises. Kruglanski’s findings highlight not only individual vulnerabilities but also societal patterns that fuel irrational beliefs.
Table of Contents:
- Arie Kruglanski and the fundamental need for significance
- How uncertainty and meaning loss fuel conspiracy beliefs
- The challenge of confronting irrational beliefs
- Why self-awareness remains rare in modern society
Arie Kruglanski and the fundamental need for significance
Born in Łódź, Poland, in 1939, Arie Kruglanski witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust. These experiences later shaped his research focus at the University of Maryland. In his book "The Quest for Significance," published by Taylor & Francis, Kruglanski and his co-author Dan Raviv explain that the need for meaning is a dominant human drive. It surpasses even other fundamental needs like security or pleasure.
Their analysis shows that meaning helps people understand their existence, giving them a sense of direction and purpose. This need becomes particularly intense in periods of turmoil, such as wars, authoritarian rule, financial instability, or pandemics. In such environments, when personal and collective meaning is threatened, individuals desperately seek narratives that restore their sense of significance.
How uncertainty and meaning loss fuel conspiracy beliefs
Kruglanski and Raviv argue that uncertainty alone is not the main problem. The real danger lies in the perceived loss of meaning caused by uncertainty, making individuals susceptible to simplified, emotionally charged explanations. Such explanations often involve identifying "enemies" who are supposedly responsible for personal and societal misfortunes.
An example includes the popularization of David Icke's theory about reptilian beings disguised as world leaders. According to Icke, these shape-shifting aliens plan global domination. Names like Queen Elizabeth II and several U.S. presidents are frequently cited in these myths. For many, believing in these narratives creates a feeling of being part of a select group possessing secret knowledge. This not only boosts their self-importance but also shields them from accepting the uncomfortable truth of randomness and chaos in the world.
The challenge of confronting irrational beliefs
Attempts to correct false beliefs through education or information often fail. Kruglanski's research shows that when factual corrections threaten an individual’s sense of meaning, people reject the facts to preserve their self-esteem. Choosing to believe in conspiracies becomes psychologically easier than admitting to being deceived.
The mechanisms behind these beliefs are deeply rooted. People actively engage in communities where shared myths amplify their sense of belonging and purpose. Fighting these narratives requires strategies that strengthen personal meaning without attacking core self-identities.
Why self-awareness remains rare in modern society
Despite centuries of philosophical encouragement, including the ancient Greek call to "know yourself" inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, self-awareness remains elusive. According to Kruglanski and Raviv, many individuals are unaware of the true motivations behind their actions and beliefs. The lack of introspection leaves them vulnerable to manipulation and the spread of conspiracy theories.
Recognizing and addressing these hidden needs for meaning is critical. Although challenging, fostering greater self-understanding could help societies reduce the appeal of harmful myths and restore healthier ways of finding significance.
Source: WELT