Latest news with #beliefs
Forbes
18-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
1 Belief System That Can Derail Relationships, By A Psychologist
New research shows that conspiracy beliefs can profoundly impact close relationships. Here's how to ... More keep your beliefs from getting in the way of meaningful connections. Most people like to believe they see things as they truly are. Yet, the pull of alternative explanations — those that invite them to question or doubt the obvious — can be hard to resist. Conspiracy theories tap into this curiosity, suggesting shadowy forces and concealed agendas behind daily events. These beliefs hint at a hidden reality where influential players manipulate the truth for personal gain. From tales of elites orchestrating world events to secretly staged historical milestones, conspiracy theories offer a mysterious, seductive lens on the world, inviting people to question and resist mainstream narratives. The appeal lies in their promise of hidden truths, granting believers a sense of exclusivity in a world that often feels beyond control. However, while these beliefs can unite like-minded individuals, they can also breed distrust and distance in personal relationships. A 2024 study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology reveals how conspiracy beliefs influence interpersonal dynamics, uncovering a complex relationship between belief alignment and relationship satisfaction. Here are two ways in which your conspiracy beliefs can affect close relationships, according to the study. Shared beliefs lay the groundwork for trust and understanding in relationships. However, researchers of the 2024 study found that when one partner or friend subscribes to conspiracy theories and the other does not, relationship satisfaction often declines, creating a satisfaction gap. This gap is especially noticeable in close relationships, such as those with family and close friends, where shared understanding is critical to maintaining connection. This decrease in satisfaction aligns with the theory of 'shared reality,' which suggests that relationships thrive when people feel validated by those close to them. When belief in a conspiracy theory is met with skepticism, the believer may feel misunderstood, leading to emotional distance. Relationships in which only one person holds conspiracy beliefs tend to experience strain, as the lack of shared reality makes closeness and support more challenging. The 2024 study also highlights the concept of 'attitudinal distancing,' a subtle drift in emotional closeness that occurs in relationships with differing conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracy theories often encourage an 'us vs. them' mindset, which amplifies the sense of ideological separation. The more divergent the beliefs, the greater the feeling of detachment, reducing the trust that relationships rely on. This distancing weakens attitudinal closeness, or the alignment of values and viewpoints that encourage connection. For conspiracy believers, relationships with skeptics may feel frustrating or unsupportive. In contrast, non-believers may feel estranged from conspiracy-inclined friends. This divergence can erode the fundamental elements of relationships, like empathy and understanding, creating a sense of disconnection from those once considered close. In hypothetical scenarios, participants were asked to imagine how they'd feel if a friend or partner endorsed conspiracy beliefs. Those less inclined toward such beliefs anticipated a drop in satisfaction, highlighting that alignment — or lack thereof — can significantly shape relationship expectations. Even the possibility of divergent beliefs can introduce tension into otherwise stable connections. Interestingly, while conspiracy beliefs can create rifts between those with opposing views, they can also serve as a bonding agent among like-minded individuals. The study finds that relationships between two people who share similar conspiracy beliefs tend to experience greater satisfaction and closeness. In these cases, shared beliefs reinforce the perception of a shared reality, strengthening relational closeness. For conspiracy believers, finding someone who views the world similarly offers validation and support. This shared belief creates a unique safe space where ideas are accepted rather than questioned, which can be profoundly reassuring for believers. Within this dynamic, conspiracy beliefs can build trust and emotional closeness, highlighting how similar worldviews are pivotal in maintaining relational satisfaction. While differing beliefs can strain relationships, they don't necessarily have to end them. Here are a few strategies to help you keep these connections strong: Ultimately, relationships involve a delicate balance of understanding and acceptance, especially when beliefs diverge. Conspiracy theories may challenge that balance, testing trust, empathy and mutual respect. Yet, by choosing to prioritize connection over division, we can still nurture the connections that matter most. Curious if conspiracy theories have a hold over you? Take this science-backed test to find out: Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale
CTV News
13-05-2025
- CTV News
‘I feel like such an idiot': Two Ontario men lose more then $150,000 to psychics
Some people believe in the power of psychic. However, if a psychic makes unrealistic monetary demands and that should be a red flag that something is not right.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The secret science that shows astrology actually works – and how to use it to get rich today
ASTROLOGY can actually change your life, but not because the planets and stars have willed it. Speaking to The Sun, an astrologer and a psychologist have revealed exactly how the belief that celestial bodies have sway over the natural world can make people healthier and more successful. 4 Astrologer Steve Judd says just the belief that the planets and stars govern our lives can have a huge impact on our state of mind and can even give humans an "evolutionary advantage". For example, a horoscope that suggests your finances could see big changes might encourage us to focus on that pay rise we've been waiting for - making us richer. He explained: "If people are aware of planetary influences in their lives at any given time, they can consciously use them to improve themselves," astrologer Steve Judd explained. "If they are not aware of the influences, they will still work, but to a lesser degree." While the planets and stars might not really be dictating your life, they can have a powerful effect, say experts. Max Blumberg of the University of London, who specialises in research on paranormal beliefs and is a member of the British Psychological Society, said astrology can offer an evolutionary advantage in the face of tough odds. "If you believe that you have no chance, you're just going to roll over and die and be killed," he said. "Whereas if you believe that astrology, God, mystical things, are on your side - you're going to fight like hell and maybe that is what gives you the edge to win. "We are the descendants of people who had a sense of hope and that's how they survived. And astrology falls uniquely into that." Healthy habits Several studies have found that positive expectations strongly influence our experiences - and even our health. A greater sense of hope is often associated with better physical health, reduced risk of death, fewer chronic conditions and sleep problems, more life satisfaction, lower psychological distress and a sense of purpose in life. The best compatibility for star sign revealed as science explains your perfect horoscope love match You could call it a placebo, according to Blumberg, which is when a person's physical or mental health appears to improve after taking a "dummy" treatment. "So I'm feeling depressed and my stars tell me that the love of my life is around the corner - that's going to lift my depression," Blumberg explained. "Whether or not the love of my life is around the corner." He continued: "The belief that the love of my life is around the corner gives me hope, and my depression lifts for a bit." But Judd believes that the idea of giving hope was always the original purpose of astrology. The belief system is steeped in ancient tradition and has served humans as a tool for self-reflection for millennia. "People who are consciously aware of their astrological influences at any given time will gain significantly from using them, whilst those unaware will hardly notice them.", says Judd, who holds one of the world's few master's degrees in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. Cutting through the noise With apps that deliver daily horoscopes to The Sun's very own Mystic Meg - an increasing number of people are turning to the stars to guide them. Judd believes this is because people are becoming progressively disillusioned with society, and are searching for "something more significant in their lives". In the increasingly complex world that we live in... you need models to explain what's going on. Max Blumberga chartered member of the British Psychological Society According to Blumberg, astrology helps people cut through some of the chaos they might be seeing on TV, the internet and the papers. "In the increasingly complex world that we live in... you need models to explain what's going on," he said. "And people who don't have scientific training, they'll grab onto any model that explains things - and the more complicated the model, the better it sounds." More and more people are expected to turn to astrology to make sense of their lives, and use it to guide them, Blumberg added, as global politics grow ever more fragile and local economies worsen. "When the world stops and everything goes nuts, you're going to need frameworks that explain what's going on," he said. "If astrology can say it's because Venus is in the ascendant, that sounds good. We'll get nuked tonight, but it's okay - Venus is in the ascendant."
