"More Likely to Overestimate the Likelihood of Co-Occurring Events, to Attribute Intentionality Where It Is Unlikely to Exist, and to Have Lower Levels of Analytic Thinking"

"People who feel powerless may also endorse conspiracy theories as they also help the individual avoid blame for their predicament. In this sense, conspiracy theories give a sense of meaning, security and control over an unpredictable and dangerous world. Finally, and most simply, conspiracy beliefs—which imply a level of Machiavellianism and power enacted by those without fixed morality—are most likely to resonate with people who feel powerless and believe that society lacks norms."

John M. Grohol at Business Insider looks to why people believe conspiracy theories.

As does Melinda Wenner Moyer at Scientific American.