Editing Conspiracy theory (section)

====Conspiracy theorists====
It is much more difficult to convince people who already believe in conspiracy theories.<ref name="SunsteinVermeule2009"/><ref name="LewandowskyCook2020"/> Conspiracist belief systems are not based on external evidence, but instead use [[circular logic]] where every belief is supported by other conspiracist beliefs.<ref name="LewandowskyCook2020"/> In addition, conspiracy theories have a "self-sealing" nature, in which the types of arguments used to support them make them resistant to questioning from others.<ref name="SunsteinVermeule2009"/>

Characteristics of successful strategies for reaching conspiracy theorists have been divided into several broad categories: 1) Arguments can be presented by "trusted messengers", such as people who were formerly members of an extremist group. 2) Since conspiracy theorists think of themselves as people who value critical thinking, this can be affirmed and then redirected to encourage being more critical when analyzing the conspiracy theory. 3) Approaches demonstrate empathy, and are based on building understanding together, which is supported by modeling open-mindedness in order to encourage the conspiracy theorists to do likewise. 4) The conspiracy theories are not attacked with ridicule or aggressive deconstruction, and interactions are not treated like an argument to be won; this approach can work with the general public, but among conspiracy theorists it may simply be rejected.<ref name="LewandowskyCook2020"/>

Interventions that reduce feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, or powerlessness result in a reduction in conspiracy beliefs.<ref name="Douglas 538–542"/> Other possible strategies to mitigate the effect of conspiracy theories include education, media literacy, and increasing governmental openness and transparency.<ref name="ConnollyUscinski2019"/> Due to the relationship between conspiracy theories and political extremism, the academic literature on [[deradicalization]] is also important.<ref name="LewandowskyCook2020"/>

One approach describes conspiracy theories as resulting from a "crippled epistemology", in which a person encounters or accepts very few relevant sources of information.<ref name="SunsteinVermeule2009"/><ref name="Hardin2002"/> A conspiracy theory is more likely to appear justified to people with a limited "informational environment" who only encounter misleading information. These people may be "[[Epistemology|epistemologically]] isolated" in [[filter bubble|self-enclosed networks]]. From the perspective of people within these networks, disconnected from the information available to the rest of society, believing in conspiracy theories may appear to be justified.<ref name="SunsteinVermeule2009"/><ref name="Hardin2002">{{cite book|last=Hardin|first=Russell|title=Political Extremism and Rationality|chapter=The Crippled Epistemology of Extremism|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=7 January 2002|doi=10.1017/cbo9780511550478.002|page=20|isbn=978-0-521-80441-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yyUmy7SJra4C}}</ref> In these cases, the solution would be to break the group's informational isolation.<ref name="SunsteinVermeule2009"/>