Why Do They Believe In Conspiracy Theories?

According to a study, because they would do it themselves if they were in charge:

The researchers found that “personal willingness to engage in the conspiracies predicted endorsement of conspiracy theories.” So did a propensity to manipulate others for personal gain.

“For example,” they write, “highly Machiavellian individuals were seemingly more likely to believe that government agents staged the 9/11 attacks because they were more likely to perceive that they would do so themselves, if [they found themselves] in the government’s position.”

Indeed, we have often noted this trait among the Truthers; the belief that people would do anything for money because they themselves would do anything for money.