Why Conspiracy Theory Communities Endure: The Interplay of Feedback, Habits, and ...
ojs.aaai.org
Conspiracy theory communities don't survive on belief alone — this research reveals how feedback loops and habit formation create self-sustaining echo chambers that digital governance can barely touch.
Feedback Loop TheoryHabit FormationEcho Chamber EffectBehavioral Reinforcement
Theory Briefing
- Online conspiracy theory communities persist not just through shared belief but through reinforcing behavioral feedback loops that automate engagement.
- Habitual participation — not active conviction — keeps users locked in CT communities, making moderation efforts structurally ineffective.
- The study challenges platform governance strategies by showing that breaking the habit loop, not debunking content, may be the key intervention.