Understanding Conspiracy Theories

The video explores the history and cognitive appeal of conspiracy theories, explaining how evolutionary and biological factors make people susceptible to them. It discusses the illusory pattern perception, a cognitive bias that leads people to see patterns in randomness, and highlights the societal impact of conspiracy theories, particularly online. The video also addresses the role of algorithms in spreading misinformation and provides resources for further exploration.

What historical event is mentioned as being influenced by a conspiracy theory?

• The signing of the Magna Carta

• The American Declaration of Independence

• The fall of the Berlin Wall

• The French Revolution

According to the adaptive conspiracism hypothesis, why might humans be inclined to believe in conspiracy theories?

• As a protective measure against potential threats

• To improve memory retention

• To enhance social connections

• To increase intelligence

What cognitive bias is described as noticing patterns in random stimuli?

• Confirmation bias

• Anchoring bias

• Hindsight bias

• Illusory pattern perception

Which YouTuber's videos are used as an example of illusory pattern perception?

• Logan Paul

• Shane Dawson

• Lilly Singh

• PewDiePie

What neurotransmitter is linked to a higher susceptibility to conspiracy theories?

• GABA

• Norepinephrine

• Dopamine

• Serotonin

Which type of paintings were used in a study to assess pattern recognition related to conspiracy beliefs?

• Orderly and disordered paintings

• Surrealist paintings

• Impressionist paintings

• Cubist paintings

What percentage of Americans believe that global warming is a hoax?

• 60%

• 50%

• 37%

• 25%

Which platform has banned all conversations about vaccines to control misinformation?

• Twitter

• Facebook

• Pinterest

• Instagram

What action has YouTube taken regarding anti-vax videos?

• Demonetizing them

• Promoting them

• Banning them completely

• Featuring them on the homepage

What is the name of the website created to show YouTube's recommended videos?

• VideoTracker

• AlgoTransparency

• YouTubeWatch

• ContentMonitor