A cognitive bias when people overestimate their knowledge in a particular field, underestimating how much they do not know. It can be described as an over-confidence in one’s expertise, or “ignorance of one’s own ignorance”. People who experience this are unaware that they do, making it incredibly dangerous. 

The Dunning Kruger Effect

Conspiracy theories sprout from ignorance and mistrust, preying on the illogical fallacies and fears of those who do not understand something. All kinds exist, but often they involve a distrust in the government and medicine. Conspirational thinking can also be linked to a cognitive bias called the “conjunction fallacy”.

- Conjunction Fallacy

Conspiracy Theories and the Anti-Vaxxer Psychology

The desire to believe that one’s hopes and dreams can affect outcome reality. For instance, the belief that “if I really hope for it, it’ll happen for me”. Some of this is influenced by a belief in the supernatural, but it can be attributed to clinging to a childish wistfulness, a primitive rationalizing optimism devoid of logic. 

The Magical Thinking Phenomenon

One popular theory about why anti-vaxxers ignore all the evidence pointing against their views in favor of what little they hold onto is that these people fall victim to a cognitive bias known as the Dunning Kruger effect. Other theories include the “magical thinking” phenomenon, conspiracy theories, and fear of going to the doctor.

- The Dunning-Kruger Effect
- Conspiracy Theories and the Anti-Vaxxer Psychology
- The "Magical Thinking" Phenomenon
- Fear of Going to the Doctor

University of Rochester

Fear and opposition of vaccines goes as far back as the 18th century, and is hardly a new phenomenon. Prominent religious figures opposed vaccines as going “against God’s will to punish” and calling them “the devil’s work” (see Reverend John Williams of Massachusetts). Outside of religious arguments, people have argued about their personal liberties against mandated vaccines, spurred on by influential figures and politics. 

- The Psychology Behind the Anti-Vaxx Movement 
- Triggers of Anti-Vaccination Propaganda
- Technology and its Effects on the Anti-Vax Movement

History of the Anti-Vax Movement: Origins

Sarcevic, A. (2020, December 14). The psychology of anti-vaxxers. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culture-shrink/201809/the-psychology-anti-vaxxers. 

Psychology of Anti-Vaxxers: Psychology Today

Hussain, A., Ali, S., Ahmed, M., & Hussain, S. (2018). The Anti-vaccination Movement: A Regression in Modern Medicine. Cureus, 10(7), e2919. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2919

The Anti-vaccination Movement: A Regression in Modern Medicine

Often there is a spark that sets off a relatively dormant powder keg. Vaccine distrust always remains, but a study or a famous figure can easily incite a flare-up in the distrust. In the ASD case, the Wakefield studies were this spark. 

Triggers of Anti-Vaccination Propaganda

The Psychology of Anti-Vaxxers

The rise of the internet since the 1990s has played a significant role in the persistence and spread of the anti-vaccination movement. The vast and unregulated nature of online platforms allows misinformation to be easily shared, magnified, and presented as credible. This constant bombardment of online content makes it challenging for parents to navigate the enormous volume of information and separate scientifically sound research from unfounded claims, thereby fueling the continued concern over debunked links like the one between vaccines and autism.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After