The human experiment is about the study of emotions through linear time. Empathy with others and groups is part of the process - further allowing people to vent frustrations with others of like mind (programing).

Many turn to conspiracy theories to fulfill deprived motivational needs and make sense of distress and impairment   Science Alert - July 17, 2023

A new review adds to growing evidence that there are many complex reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories, contrary to the cliche that it's a lack of knowledge. While we all experience conspiracy thinking at some point, some of these beliefs can become dangerous.

While there are many influential factors, the data suggest that people seem motivated by a need to feel safe, to understand one's environment, and an increased need to feel socially secure if those other two needs are not being met. This is bad news, as the world around us becomes more dangerous and our future increasingly uncertain.

They found social threats were more strongly linked to conspiracy thinking than other threats, which is also tightly interwoven with trust. Trust has long been identified as playing a key role in our belief in a phenomenon called cultural cognition. No matter how much education we have, we're more likely to believe information from people we identify with as part of our own cultural group.

People watch negative TV to combat life's stress, study suggests   PhysOrg - June 26, 2023

Researchers have long known that people use media to manage their emotions. When the day is filled with news of mass shootings, police malfeasance and "me too" courtroom escapades, people turn to entertainment media, where they watch - as it turns out - more negativity. Sometimes, people are in a bad mood, use media to amplify that mood.