It turns out that there is a perfectly logical reason why people believe in conspiracy theories. A review of 170 studies suggests people believe in conspiracy theories to fulfill motivational needs and make sense of distress. "Our findings reveal that motivations at large are important, perhaps even essential, pieces of the conspiratorial ideation puzzle," said the research team. Such beliefs can arise from unmet needs of safety, a lack of understanding of one's environment, and social insecurity. The research found social threats were more strongly linked to conspiracy thinking than other threats, which is also tightly interwoven with trust. Trust has long been identified as playing a key role in our belief in a phenomenon called cultural cognition. However, narcissism increased the likelihood of conspiratorial thinking, as did a need to feel unique. Understanding these factors is essential for helping people avoid these thinking traps and limiting the harm they can do. The research was published in the 'Psychological Bulletin.'