Conspiracy beliefs are often viewed as a form of psychopathology, closely linked to anxiety, paranoia, and maladaptive traits. However, recent research has brought attention to adaptive and functional aspects of conspiracy theories. This article presents a framework for understanding conspiracy beliefs as a paradoxical adaptation to historical trauma. There is vast evidence that three essential aspects of historical trauma (loss of personal and collective control, status devaluation, and victimhood) constitute the key antecedents of conspiracy beliefs. Although conspiracy theories might be adaptive in times of shared trauma (e.g., war, colonization), they become maladaptive in times of peace and prosperity. The popularity of conspiracy theories in historically traumatized societies threatens individuals’ health and well-being, social trust, cohesiveness, and intergroup harmony.

阴谋信念通常被视为一种精神病理学形式，与焦虑、偏执狂和适应不良的特征密切相关。然而，最近的研究引起了人们对阴谋论的适应性和功能方面的关注。本文提出了一个框架，用于将阴谋信念理解为对历史创伤的自相矛盾的适应。有大量证据表明，历史创伤的三个基本方面（个人和集体控制的丧失、地位贬值和受害）构成了阴谋信念的关键前因。尽管阴谋论在共同创伤（如战争、殖民）时期可能具有适应性，但在和平与繁荣时期它们变得不适应。阴谋论在受历史创伤的社会中的流行威胁着个人的健康和福祉、社会信任、