The Power of Spite: Why We Fall for Conspiracy Theories

Imagine scrolling through social media on any given day. Headlines scream about shadowy groups secretly controlling global events, scientists deliberately hiding cures for diseases, or secret societies manipulating economies to oppress ordinary people. These conspiracy theories often seem too bizarre to take seriously. Yet, millions of people not only believe these stories but passionately share them, reinforcing their distrust in established facts and scientific consensus. Recent psychological research has begun unraveling why so many people are drawn into these convoluted beliefs, and surprisingly, the answer may lie in a simple yet powerful emotion: spite.

Spite, in everyday terms, is the desire to hurt someone else even if it means harming yourself in the process. At first glance, it seems irrational—why would anyone willingly inflict damage on themselves just to see others suffer? However, spiteful feelings often bubble up when people perceive themselves as disadvantaged or powerless. Whether it’s feeling overlooked at work, excluded socially, or misunderstood by the broader community, these feelings of being undervalued can ignite resentment. When combined with frustration, anger, or envy, spite becomes a powerful emotional response that can shape behavior and even beliefs.

Dr. David Gordon and Dr. Megan Birney, psychologists from the University of Staffordshire and the University of Birmingham, recently conducted groundbreaking research exploring how spite influences belief in conspiracy theories. They discovered that individuals who feel uncertain about the world, powerless in their lives, or socially undervalued are particularly susceptible to developing spiteful feelings. These feelings, in turn, make them more likely to embrace conspiracy theories. Essentially, spite acts as a bridge between personal feelings of disadvantage and the acceptance of false and harmful narratives.

In their research, Gordon and Birney ran three detailed studies involving over a thousand participants from the UK. They carefully measured participants' levels of spite and their openness to conspiracy theories, including COVID-19 conspiracies. They specifically explored three psychological motives that had previously been identified as driving factors behind conspiracy beliefs: epistemic motives (the need to understand the world), existential motives (the need for security and control), and social motives (the need to feel valued and significant).

Their findings consistently showed that spiteful emotions significantly connected these psychological motives to conspiracy beliefs. People who struggled with uncertainty about the world, felt powerless in influencing political or social outcomes, or believed they were underappreciated socially exhibited heightened spite. This spite, triggered by a sense of competition or disadvantage, opened the door for conspiracy theories to seem appealing and plausible.

But how exactly does spite make someone vulnerable to conspiracy theories? The answer lies in how conspiracy theories function psychologically. They offer a twisted sense of empowerment. For someone feeling ignored, misunderstood, or undervalued by mainstream society, embracing a conspiracy theory can seem like taking back control. It provides the illusion of special knowledge, setting the believer apart from the "deceived" masses. The conspiracy believer gains a sense of superiority, even if that sense is built on falsehoods. Moreover, conspiracies often target experts, authority figures, or institutions perceived to hold power or status—the very groups someone feeling spiteful might resent.

For example, consider science denialism, a frequent aspect of conspiracy thinking. Believing that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by scientists to control the economy or that vaccines are harmful tools of manipulation allows individuals to spitefully reject authority figures like doctors, researchers, and government officials. It doesn’t matter if these beliefs harm their own health or environment; the act of denying scientific consensus becomes a rebellious expression against a perceived enemy. In this sense, the spiteful rejection of facts feels emotionally satisfying.

We see this psychological pattern vividly portrayed in George Orwell’s classic novel "1984." Citizens are conditioned to direct their frustrations and spiteful feelings toward imaginary enemies during orchestrated events called "Two Minutes Hate." The Party manipulates information and feeds conspiracy theories to channel people's resentment toward an external enemy rather than the oppressive regime itself. Orwell cleverly illustrates how spite can be manipulated to maintain power, control information, and foster widespread acceptance of conspiracy thinking.

Understanding spite’s role in fueling conspiracy theories also explains why simply presenting factual information rarely convinces conspiracy believers to change their minds. The root issue is not necessarily ignorance or lack of education; it's emotional. For conspiracy theorists, the "truth" isn't about facts—it's about validating their feelings of resentment and disadvantage. When confronted with contradictory evidence, they often double down, interpreting facts as further proof of an elaborate cover-up.

This presents significant challenges for combating misinformation. As Gordon and Birney's research suggests, tackling conspiracy theories isn't simply a matter of fact-checking or correcting misinformation—it's about addressing underlying social and emotional issues. Interventions need to focus on reducing the feelings of disenfranchisement, inequality, and powerlessness that provoke spite in the first place.

So, how do we practically address this? On a societal level, promoting media literacy and effective science communication can help reduce uncertainty and make complex issues more understandable, reducing the feelings of epistemic disadvantage. For instance, clear, solution-focused messaging about climate change or public health crises can make individuals feel empowered rather than helpless.

Socially, fostering inclusive communities where individuals feel valued can mitigate the sense of competition and status anxiety that often fuels spiteful emotions. Feeling genuinely connected and respected within one's community significantly reduces the need to elevate oneself through destructive beliefs.

Economically and politically, addressing structural inequalities and offering pathways for meaningful civic engagement can reduce existential feelings of powerlessness. If individuals feel they have genuine control or influence over their lives and communities, the appeal of conspiracy theories as a spiteful outlet diminishes significantly.

Finally, understanding that spite plays a crucial role in conspiracy belief offers a compassionate perspective. Rather than viewing conspiracy theorists as simply irrational or malicious, recognizing their beliefs as emotional responses to deeper social issues helps approach these individuals with empathy and openness. It reframes conspiracy thinking not just as a problem of misinformation but as a symptom of broader social inequalities and emotional distress.

In essence, conspiracy theories and science denial aren't just bizarre quirks or fringe beliefs—they're reflections of human emotional vulnerabilities. As long as society contains inequality, uncertainty, and powerlessness, spiteful emotions will inevitably arise, providing fertile ground for conspiracy theories to flourish. Addressing these root causes is key to reducing conspiracy thinking and creating a healthier information landscape.

The work by Gordon and Birney encourages us to see conspiracy theories as part of a larger social and emotional picture. By understanding spite's role, we're better equipped not only to respond effectively but also to create a society where fewer people feel driven toward these damaging beliefs.

Ultimately, conspiracy theories thrive not merely because of ignorance, but because they tap into powerful human emotions. When people feel overlooked or undervalued, spiteful responses become natural. If we truly want to combat misinformation and conspiracy theories, our society must become better at addressing not only what people believe but also how they feel. Only then can we dismantle the underlying emotional incentives driving people toward conspiracy beliefs and build a community grounded in trust, empathy, and mutual respect.