Education is the Best Medicine for Conspiracy Believers

Just a glance at the comments on the media coverage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 or celebrities espousing anti-vaccination proves conspiracy theorists are alive and well.  A recent study is providing some hard numbers about their prevalence, showing one of every two adults in America believes at least one medical conspiracy theory.

The University of Chicago surveyed 1,351 American adults about their knowledge and belief in six common medical conspiracy theories, e.g. that health officials know cell phones cause cancer and vaccinations cause autism but they’re not doing anything about it.  Not only did they find about half of American adults (49 percent) believe at least one of these conspiracy theories, but also 18 percent – nearly one in five adults – believe at least three of them.

Researchers also found a link between those who were “high conspiracists,” meaning they believe three or more of these theories, and health habits.  These individuals were more likely to use alternative medicine as opposed to traditional medicine.  For instance, they were more likely to use herbal supplements and less likely to have influenza shots or annual check-ups (we will note questions along these lines during voir dire can help identify potential conspiracy theorists in your jury pool).

These findings suggest the strongest conspiracy theorists may hold some inaccurate beliefs about the processes involved with traditional medicine.  Although skepticism can be a good thing in a defense juror, abject distrust or fear of the healthcare, insurance and/or political system can poison a juror from the start against your case.

The lead researcher in the study argued some people believe in conspiracies because it's easier than trying to understand complex and uncertain scientific and medical issues.  In contrast, conspiracies often promote the idea that something is bad and should be avoided, a simple premise that often resonates with plaintiff-minded jurors at trial.

That’s why educating your jurors is so crucial even during voir dire, when potentially problematic conspiracy theorists can be identified and their comments used to spark a conversation about some of the issues specific to your case.  Given their prevalence, it may be impossible to avoid a theorist or two landing on your jury, but understanding the importance of education and hard data supporting your case can help them to see your side – and at the very least, arm your advocates with debate points to use during deliberations.

If you need assistance in how to most effectively educate your jurors and identify the one out of two conspiracy theorists in your venire, please contact Senior Vice President Claire Luna at 714.754.1010 or cluna@juryimpact.net.