Why Morbid Curiosity May Fuel Belief in Conspiracy Theories

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Have you ever felt a powerful urge to look at something terrifying, disgusting, or gruesome? Maybe you have watched a horror movie, read a true crime book, or rubbernecked at an accident scene. If so, you are not alone. Millions of people feel just like you.

Morbid Curiosity: Why We Can’t Look Away

Morbid curiosity, the attraction to things that are threatening or taboo, is driven by the desire to learn about situations that are dangerous, violent, or disturbing. Common topics that serve as triggers include death, disease, crime, paranormal, or body violations.

Morbid curiosity is not a new phenomenon. It has been observed and discussed since ancient times. For example, Plato told the story of Leontius, who felt a conflict between his aversion and attraction to a pile of dead bodies. Leontius eventually gave in to his curiosity and looked at the corpses, saying: “There! You wretches! Gaze your fill at the beautiful spectacle!”

Why Do We Have Morbid Curiosity?

Morbid curiosity may seem paradoxical or irrational, but it has some adaptive functions. According to evolutionary psychology, morbid curiosity may have helped our ancestors survive in a dangerous world by providing them with valuable information about potential threats.

By learning about the causes and consequences of harm, we can better avoid or cope with similar situations in the future. For example, by looking at a car accident, we may become more aware of the risks of driving and adjust our behavior accordingly.

Morbid curiosity may also have some emotional benefits. By exposing ourselves to controlled doses of fear and disgust, we may experience a sense of relief, excitement, or catharsis. Moreover, by confronting our mortality and vulnerability, we may gain a deeper appreciation of life and a stronger sense of meaning.

The Conspiracy Theory Angle

The authors of new research investigating the relationship between morbid curiosity and conspiracy theories in U.S.-based samples define conspiracy theories as "allegations of secret plots between two or more powerful actors." These plots are designed to achieve an outcome, sometimes explaining important events or proposing alternative understandings of reality in opposition to mainstream accounts, and commonly highlighting the threat presented by the plot and its conspirators.

The study found that higher trait morbid curiosity was associated with higher general conspiracist beliefs (Study 1) and the perceived threat of conspiratorial explanations of events (Study 2). Using a behavioral choice paradigm, the authors found that participants who chose to investigate morbidly curious stimuli were more likely to choose to learn about conspiratorial explanations for events (Study 3). Greater curiosity about the minds of dangerous people was consistently the strongest predictor of conspiratorial ideation and interest.

The authors suggest that belief in conspiracy theories is motivated by a desire to understand threats and is predicted by increased anxiety. Morbid curiosity describes the tendency to seek out information about threatening or dangerous situations and is associated with an interest in threat-related entertainment and increased anxiety.

Who Is More Likely to Be Morbidly Curious?

Not everyone has the same level of morbid curiosity. Some people are more drawn to dark and disturbing topics than others. Research has identified some personality traits that are associated with higher morbid curiosity. These include:

• Rebellious nonconformity: People who score high on this trait tend to disregard social norms and seek novelty and unpredictability in their lives. They may be more interested in topics that are taboo or controversial.
• Low animal reminder disgust: Low scores here mean that thoughts about death and the animal origins of humans are not all that repulsive. Thus, they may be less afraid of topics that involve bodily fluids or decay.
• High interest in human behavior: People who score high on this trait are fascinated by the motives and actions of other people. They may be more curious about topics that involve violence, crime, or abnormal psychology.

Summary

Morbid curiosity, when expressed in moderation, may affect human cognition and emotions in positive ways. However, it can also have negative consequences if it becomes excessive or unhealthy. Thus, it is important to balance our morbid curiosity with other forms of curiosity that enrich our lives and broaden our horizons.

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Copyright © Kevin Bennett, PhD 2023