What underlying psychological factors prompt individuals to align with conspiracy theories and secret societies, and how do these beliefs influence their worldview and actions?

ANSWER: Individuals may gravitate towards conspiracy theories and secret societies for a sense of understanding in a complex world, fostering community with like-minded people, and feeling special or enlightened. These beliefs provide a simplistic narrative for complex events, offering control in the face of uncertainty. Adherents' worldviews are shaped by distrust in authority and perceived insider knowledge, which can lead to radicalization or rejection of conventional information, influencing their decisions and social interactions.