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Covid-19 uncertainty contributing to increase of conspiracy theories

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 14 Aug 2020, 2:16PM
Photo / File
Photo / File

Covid-19 uncertainty contributing to increase of conspiracy theories

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 14 Aug 2020, 2:16PM

A lack of control as we grapple with Covid 19 uncertainty, is being blamed for some people buying into conspiracy theories.

Some of them are laughable, but theories are spreading about nationwide lockdown, border breaches and speculation on new outbreaks.

Otago University psychologist Ana Stojanov told Tim Dower the Covid theories can be linked to people feeling helpless.

"People are more likely to believe in them as they feel they have access to secret knowledge that other people don't have.

"Covid 19 is causing stress and a lack of control so we're seeing more conspiracy theories specifically relating to the virus."

Stojanov says we're unlikely to ever stop conspiracies.

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