Biltrite case Module I through X Essay

Module III: Control Testing †Sales Processing 1.The examining plan in the structure of controls doesn't give tests about incomes and records receivables. The shortcoming that I could see is the way that merchandise that were conveyed to clients were not charged which bring about bill of replenishing not being pre-numbered. Along these lines, bills of filling don't consider a viable inspecting unit. For an effective review, examiners need to assess arranges arbitrarily and verify whether the merchandise were transported and the clients got solicitations before the receipt of the item, Therefore for this situation, presence/event is the strategy for the evaluators. 2 and 3 are appended under â€Å"2009 attribu† 4. The examining plan shows that there is a successful control of the organization by the individuals in control since the cost of the items, the amount of the balance and as far as possible offered to clients are not over the impediment. Anyway the bills of ladings that were missing keep the inspectors wary and make them search further for material data. Likewise, the other thing that looks dubious is the swelled income appeared. The logical methods and characteristic testing performed will the reviewers to glance further in respects of the deals recorded during the year, the client adjusted and the records receivable. Consequently, I accept that total materiality limit shouldn’t be brought down since the two records receivable and deals tests show earning’s expansion. Module IV: MUS Sampling-Factory Equipment Additions 1. The target of playing out this test is to test if the manufacturing plant hardware accounts are tangibly exaggerated from the blunders found in the capitalization of conventional fixes. The inspecting unit is the charge presenting on the manufacturing plant hardware account and the populace is $12,600,000 which is the distinction between the absolute charges of $89,860,000 and the gear increases of $77,260,000 2. Find exceed expectations archive â€Å"2009 MUS† for answers 3. In setting these boundaries, Derick concentrated on his evaluation of intrinsic hazard and control in respects of the securing cycle and the degree of theâ overall review chance. To clarify the boundaries further, on the grounds that the danger of off base acknowledgment is 5% percent, this implies Derick is 95% secure with the outcomes that he will get just 5% percent of blunders in the populace. Foreseen blunders of $100,000 is generally founded on past year’s review and the $640,000 of middle of the road misquote are mistakes Derick think exists in the populace in respects of the plant hardware account. 4. Find exceed expectations archive â€Å"2009 MUS† for the estimation of the Projected error count 11.3B a.â€Å"Tainting percentage† show up on a section when the book estimation of a unit is not exactly the inspecting time period. What's more, its motivation is to build up an anticipated blunder for all the examining stretch. 5. What's more, 6 can be found in the exceed expectations report â€Å"2009 MUS† for WP 11.3 C 7. a. Fundamental accuracy is the measure of vulnerability related with testing just a piece of the populace and it is determined by increasing the inspecting stretch by the certainty factor to quantify examining mistakes. b. Steady remittance for examining mistake increments when there is an expansion in the inspecting blunder. c. Stipend for testing hazard is a consider utilized arranging factual examples to continue inspecting hazard at the ideal level. d. Upper misquote limit is dictated by including the misquote (essential exactness) and steady stipend for testing blunder. It quantifies the most extreme exaggeration at the 95% certainty level set. 8. The inspecting results don't bolster Derick’s concerns with respect to conceivable material misquote since the consequence of the upper error limit is $3,720,833 which is more than the passable error of $640,000. Additionally the extent of the anticipated mistake is 85% which is determined by separating $2,503,060 by $2,936,338. These mistakes ought to bring the populace inside the limits of acknowledgment. As I would like to think this blunder speak to the modification essential that speak to the $12,600,000 populace of processing plant gear. Module V: Accounts Receivable Aging Analysis 1. a.The extent of the absolute dollar sum receivable I remembered for the affirmation demand is in â€Å"Account Receivable Aging Analysis† by plunging the aggregate sum that is collectible â€Å"C† by the aggregate sum of deals. The outcome is 82% ($9,803,430/$11,920,028) of the all out dollar balance in money due. b.In the occasion of no answer to a solicitation for positiveâ confirmation, as a reviewer I have to request further asks for, contact the administrator and solicit him to take a few to get back some composure from the client. If there should arise an occurrence of no reaction from the client, I ought to inspect the report I have close by, for example, deals orders, deals solicitations, transporting requests, and bills of replenishing. c.The reason for examining resulting assortments since it an approach to check and ensure that the presence of the activity occurred. Additionally checking ensuing assortments permits the evaluators to check the sufficiency of the remittance for uncollectible records. This encourages the inspector to all the more likely ascertain the sum that is uncollectible from clients 2.I am not fulfilled that I have adequate proof to assess the presence and valuation affirmation since I wasn’t ready to take a few to get back some composure of certain clients. Because of this burden as examiners we ought to be dubious about if those deals do in actuality exist. Likewise, in wording valuation, extra review should be performed in light of the fact that from the affirmed sum owed, it isn't sure in the event that it will be gathered. 3.Reclassification passage can be found in exceed expectations report â€Å"2009 ar†. 4.A. So as to fulfill the record receivable benefits, I would need to look at correspondence to and from clients, lawful guidance and assortment organizations including the demeanor of sum that were expected previously. b. The review change is $340,000 which offer the leniency parity to be $560,000 which I believe is satisfactory as modification. c. See connected exceed expectations archive â€Å"2009† ar. 5. The full archive â€Å"2009 ar† is connected with the case. Module VI: Sales and Purchases Cutoff Tests 1. Stock cut off blunders: a. Vouchers 12458 and 12459 was gotten in 2009 as stock yet not recorded in the books until one year from now, 2010. Which brought about exaggeration of $854,154 as impact on net gain b. Crude material stock that was in travel. This activity doesn't influence overall gain since it was exluded c. Deals 33003, 33004, 33006, 33007, and 33009 were acted in 2010 however they were accounted for in 2009 which brought about exaggeration of $3,760,330 in net gain. I believe that the misquote recorded above have all the earmarks of being deliberate so as to exaggerate net gain and make it look higher that its worth. This training is one of the procuring swelling gadgets that can be utilized to exaggerate net gain. 2.See exceed expectations archive â€Å"2009 cutoff† for auditâ adjustments. Module VII: Search for unrecorded Liabilities 1.Comment on the sufficiency for the methods performed: Lucas had the option to check if there was extra solicitations that were gotten and recorded. He additionally checked if the organization he is reviewing remembered these charges for year-end modifications for liabilities that are not recorded. Then again she didn't check if solicitations got in 2010 ought to be recorded in 2009 and in this manner pertinent to the 2009 review and on the off chance that they were a piece of year-end alteration for that year. The exact opposite thing that Lucas need to check is the liabilities from the past, 2008 and to check whether they apply to check whether they should be considered for 2009. 2.Audit Adjustment 6 can be found in exceed expectations report â€Å"2009 Liab†. 3.Audit Adjustment 6 can be found in exceed expectations archive â€Å"2009 Liab†. Module VIII: Dallas Dollar bank Reconciliation 1. The â€Å"Bank Reconciliation-Dallas Dolalr Bank† doesn't accommodate for December fundamentally on the grounds that the general record balance is not exactly the balanced equalization (Audit change number 7). The sum that vary between the two adjusts is $9,000. A portion of the causes if there should arise an occurrence of non-compromise are: †There may have been a mistake performed by the bank at the hour of recording the store or check. †There may have been a mistake when the bank recorded the money receipt of the activity. 2. After I have made the amendment, the record accommodates. The change is made in WP.1 in exceed expectations report â€Å"2009 Bank†. 3 and 4 : See exceed expectations report â€Å"2009 Bank part WP.1.B 5. The cutoff explanation got straightforwardly from the bank bolster the presence, fulfillment and valuation goals. This announcement gives an evaluator fulfillment with respect to the measure of money receipt toward the year's end and on the off chance that they were recorded at the ideal time. On the off chance that the cutoff articulation secured the period 1/1/10 through 1/21/10 and the store in travel was credit in 1/12/10, as a reviewer I ought to be worried that a customer was keeping money receipts records open after the year's end time frame and could have recorded 2010 money receipts in 2009. To ease my interests, I ought to apply settlement advices, money postings so as to have the option to checkâ the money receipt toward the year's end that compensate for the store in travel. Module IX: Analysis of Interbank Transfers 1. A. The motivation behind investigating between bank moves for a brief period when the accounting report due in to check if there are any money cutoff blunders. B and C. the check 127332 demonstrating $3,000,000 got from Lawton was in certainty an interbank move from Bank Two to Dollar Bank. The Biltrite Company is infringing upon one of the prohibitive pledges in the Bank Two understanding provided that the exchange was recorded effectively, it would show that the parity was underneath $10,000,000 remunerating balance. 2

Article on Energy Policy of Australia-Free-Samples-Myassignment

Questions: Pick a subject from Microeconomics that issues to you and locate an ongoing news story. Answers: Quintessence of The story The article tends to vitality based issues, for example, dependability and effectiveness, environmental change and inexhaustible types of vitality. Additionally, innovative progression in the field of the Australian vitality division has been addressed .Specifically, the article quickly perceives the significance of inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality ,primarily, sun oriented and wind wellsprings of energy(Parkinson 2017)Through the article, it is recommended that sustainable types of vitality be embraced because of their modest nature and prepared accessibility. Important, the article depends on the discourse of a vitality serve for New South Wales .Majorly, the article specifies what Australia s vitality arrangement should grasp .Theres need to make vitality progressively solid ,reasonable and fully informed regarding the mechanical headways to assist the Australian individuals. Likewise, the article investigates the significance of putting away vitality grasped through utilization of sustainable wellsprings of vitality, for example, sunlight based and wind Monetary Concepts Based on the Article. Vitality proficiency can be accomplished through fuse of solid, inexhaustible and natural cordial sources and age of vitality .Energy productivity. What's more, the reasonableness of vitality sources is fundamental for all economies and its customers. Vital, the Australian government is yet to convey moderate vitality to its citizens(Wood 2016)Notably, South Australia s vitality costs is viewed as the most elevated globally(Dayman,2017)Specifically, Consumers will encounter value ascends between 19.9 - 16.1percent addition of costs from Energy Australia and Origin Energy in this manner the requirement for administrative vitality arrangement. Significant expenses of vitality will be oppressive and exploitative to buyers. Further, destitution will follow from high force costs (Dayman 2017) Without a doubt, innovative headways have made life a lot simpler and effective therefore the need to grasp present day methods of power age. Further, the Australian government is yet to bear the cost of solid power for its residents (Wood 2016) .Ideally, wellsprings of vitality should be dependable and maintainable. Normally, inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality, for example, wind and sun powered are viewed as perfect for vitality age because of their maintainability and modest expense. In any case, the Australian economy is yet to completely and solely grasp inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality consequently the exorbitant costs. Coal isnt a dependable wellspring of vitality (Parkinson 2017).Theres need to gadget methods of putting away vitality through present day innovation to guarantee consecutive flexibly of vitality year in ,year out. Ecological benevolence is a worry for most vitality age players as in nonrenewable vitality sources, for example, coal are contaminations to nature .Essentially ,theres need to decrease carbon discharges corresponding to atmosphere strategy targets and natural arrangements. Right now, the Australian vitality strategy has lacking climatic arrangements accordingly the need to orchestrate vitality approaches with climatic objectives for a situation benevolent vitality proficient types of vitality (Wood 2016)According to the article ,theres need to authorize present day vitality strategy in amicability with climatic strategies so as to shield nature from carbon emanations which are destructive to the earth. Through the article, it is suggested that the Australian government receive cleaner vitality wellsprings of vitality creation rather than sole dependence on non sustainable power sources. Ostensibly, there exists dire requirement for government intercession in guideline of vitality area costs and plan of current vitality based strategies. To diminish natural contamination and advance reasonableness of power, theres dire need to produce vitality utilizing inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality, Notably wind and sunlight based vitality. Normally, sun oriented and wind vitality are promptly accessible and modest as well .Renewable vitality sources require less expense in age of intensity which converts into lower vitality costs for power and other vitality sources. Also, theres requirement for definition and fuse of condition well disposed approaches on vitality age and dissemination .Predominantly, age of vitality through no inexhaustible sources moves the generally significant expenses to shoppers as duties. Additionally ,theres need to receive innovatively propelled wellsprings of vitality, for example, atomic vitality to substitute the utilization of non-renewable energy sources, for example, coal. Essentially in light of the fact that, petroleum derivatives are costly and non-sustainable in this manner raising worries of contamination and lack of quality thus the need to receive more secure, promptly accessible and less expensive vitality age sources. Petroleum products are non-sustainable and toxins of the earth because of the huge amounts of carbon emanations created during vitality creation. As I would see it ,cleaner and sustainable power source ought to be embraced in light of the fact that they are created through condition neighborly innovatively propelled procedures and hardware which lessen and take out carbon outflows from the environment .Further ,sustainable power source levies are less expensive along these lines moderate for the Australian populace. Proposals. All things considered, it's imperative to consolidate inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality into vitality area age to diminish contamination and make the costs moderate (Pears,2017)Further, theres need to make vitality gracefully solid to the Australian populace through fused different wellsprings of vitality creation instead of dependence on rnon sustainable power sources .furthermore theres need to actualize solid and attainable vitality division arrangements and guideline. Additionally, the vitality segment approaches and measures should adjust to by and large climatic arrangements. As to cost of power, there is have to have available vitality administrative bodies in every one of the Australian states to screen the power levies (Frydenberg 2016)Also, appropriation of less expensive innovative age alternatives will make the costs of power less exorbitant for the Australian populace. To guarantee unwavering quality of vitality, sustainable and non-inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality should be accessible consistently (Mcleish 2017)Theres requirement for cleaner and sustainable power source and practices for an effective vitality part in Australia. Additionally ,in controlling cost of power, compulsory paces of correlation and straightforwardness in vitality costs will hold costs within proper limits and purchasers enlightened(Clure 2017)Typically, every area of the economy requires consistent changes because of the changing idea of innovation and natural elements (Zappa 2014) and vitality division is no special case. Theres need to define present day arrangements and measures to control the current vitality challenges for a proficient vitality area in Australia. Further, theres need to utilize sustainable power source for natural invitingness purposes and moderate expense of created vitality through this effectively accessible sources . References Parkinson, G. (2017) How the Far Right Have Hijacked Australias Energy policy.RE New Economy. Accessible at https://reneweconomy.com.au/far-right-commandeered australias-vitality strategy 11836/[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Dayman, I. (2017) South Australia power Prices to Rise to most elevated on the planet on Saturday, Energy Experts caution .ABC News. Accessible at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-28/sa-has-most-costly force costs on the planet/8658434[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Wood, T. (2016) Australia s vitality Sector is in basic need of Reform. The Conversation. Accessible at https://theconversation.com/australias-vitality part is-in-basic need-of-change 61802[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Clure, E. (2017) Power Prices: 13 different ways government could Bring down Electricity costs .ABC .Net. Accessible at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-11/what-could-the-legislature do-to-lessen power-costs/8790952[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Pears , A.(2017)2017 Will be a Big Year for Australia s Energy System: Heres What to LOOK Out For .The Conversation .Available at https://theconversation.com/2017-will-be-a-major year-for-australias-vitality framework heres-what-to-pay special mind to 71703[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Frydenberg, F. (2016) The eventual fate of Australia Energy sector.[Opinion]Australian Mining. Accessible at https://www.australianmining.com.au/highlights/the-fate of-australias-vitality part supposition/[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] McLeish, R. (2017) Elon Musk Resumes Twitter Campaign for Australian Energy Reform with Mike Cannon-Brookes. The Sydney Morning Herald. Accessible at https://www.smh.com.au/innovation/innovation news/elon-musk-resumes-twitter-battle for-australian-vitality change with-Mike-cannonbrookes-20170313-guwr8g.html[Accessed 23 Aug 2017] Zappa, M.(2014)17 Emerging Energy Technologies that will change the world .Business Insider .Available at https://www.businessinsider.com/17-rising vitality advances 2014-4?IR=T[Accessed 23 Aug 201 essed 23 Aug 2017]

Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories

Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories Basics Print Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 24, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on July 17, 2019 Verywell / Andrea Hickey More in Psychology Basics Psychotherapy Student Resources History and Biographies Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming In This Article Table of Contents Expand Explanations Effects Risks Reducing Conspiracy Beliefs View All Back To Top There has been a growing interest in recent years in why people believe in conspiracy theories. Recent controversial examples of such theories include the belief that terrorist attacks and mass shootings were staged events orchestrated by the U.S. government. Other examples include the belief that the pharmaceutical industry intentionally spreads diseases or that vaccines cause illness rather than prevent them. While it might seem like these beliefs are rare or even pathological, research has shown that they are surprisingly common. Polls suggest that over one-third of U.S. adults believe that global warming is a hoax. Another study found that half of all Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory. What Is a Conspiracy Theory? A conspiracy theory can be defined as the belief that there are groups that meet in secret to plan and carry out malevolent goals. What explains this common and often deep-rooted belief that powerful, sinister, and secretive groups are conspiring to deceive others â€" particularly in a day and age where we have more access to information and facts that might debunk many of these ideas? Researchers suspect that there are a number of psychological mechanisms that contribute to these beliefs, many of which may be the result of evolutionary processes. In a world where you might feel powerless and alienated, it can be appealing to believe that there are forces plotting against your interests. Once these beliefs take root, cognitive biases and mental shortcuts reinforce and strengthen them. Many of the same factors that fuel other types of problematic thinking, such as a belief in the paranormal, also contribute to conspiracy theories. And while such paranoid ideas are not new, the internet has helped transform the way and the speed in which they are spread. In order to understand why people believe in these conspiracies, it is important to explore some of the psychological explanations and the potential effects these beliefs have. 10 Cognitive Biases That Distort Your Thinking Explanations Researchers suggest that there are a number of different reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories. Many of these explanations boil down to three key driving factors: A need for understanding and consistency (epistemic)A need for control (existential)A need to belong or feel special (social) Epistemic Reasons Epistemic explanations refer to the desire to derive certainty and understanding. The world can be a confusing place filled with events that may seem dangerous and chaotic. People are driven to explain the things that happen in the world around them. Doing so helps them build up a consistent, stable, and clear understanding of how the world works. Factors That Increase Conspiracy Belief: In situations involving large-scale events, where more mundane or small-scale explanations seem inadequateIn situations where people experience distress over uncertainty When people encounter disparate information, it is only natural to look for explanations that connect the dots. Conspiracy theories offer explanations that provide this connection. They also suggest that the underlying causes are hidden from public view. When confusing things happen, believers can then assume that it is because they are being intentionally deceived by outside forces. There is also a connection between conspiracy beliefs and educational levels. Lower educational status tends to be associated with higher levels of conspiracy belief. Having lower analytical abilities and less tolerance for uncertainty also play a role. As a result, people turn to conspiracy theories to provide explanations for events that seem confusing or frightening. The confirmation bias can also play a role in the development of conspiracy belief. People are naturally inclined to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs. So when they run across a theory that supports something that they already think is true, they are more likely to believe the information is also true. How Your Brain Plays Tricks on You Existential Reasons There is also evidence that people turn to conspiracy theories as a way of feeling safer and more in control. When people feel threatened in some way, detecting sources of danger can be a way of coping with anxiety. What The Research Suggests: One study found that people who feel psychologically and sociopolitically disempowered are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.Another study found that people are also more likely to believe in conspiracies when they are experiencing anxiety. While researchers understand these existential motivations, there is little evidence that believing in these theories actually helps people satisfy their need to feel control and autonomy. In fact, by believing in these theories, people may actually be less likely to engage in actions that would potentially boost their sense of control (such as voting or participating in political activity). So while people may be drawn to conspiracy theories as a way of making sense of the world and feeling more in control of their own destiny, the long-term effects may actually leave people feeling more disempowered than ever before. Social Reasons People can also be motivated to believe in conspiracy due to social reasons. Some researchers have hypothesized that by believing in conspiracies that cast out-groups as the opposition, people are able to feel better about themselves and their own social group. Those who believe in the conspiracy feel that they are the “heroes” of the story, while those who are conspiring against them are “the enemy.” People Believe In Conspiracies When: They are on the “losing” side of a political issueThey have a lower social status due to income or ethnicityThey have experienced social ostracismThey are prejudiced against “enemy” groups they perceive as powerful Such findings suggest that conspiracy belief might arise as a sort of defense mechanism. When people feel disadvantaged, they are motivated to find ways to boost their own self-perceptions. Blaming others by linking them to malevolent plots provides a scapegoat on which to lay blame, thus improving how conspiracy believers view themselves. The belief in conspiracies is also rooted in what is referred to as collective narcissism. This is the belief that your own social group is better, yet less appreciated, by other people. People who feel that they or their social group have been victimized are also less likely to believe in government institutions and more likely to believe in conspiracies. The way in which people encounter and share these ideas should also be noted. It’s easy to dismiss a story shared by a random source that you don’t trust. But when multiple people in your social circle who you do know and trust all seem to believe the same story, it starts to seem less like a silly conspiracy and more like a trusted fact. Sharing these kinds of stories within our networks gives social credence to such conspiratorial thinking. How Your Decisions Are Biased by the First Thing You Hear Effects While researchers have some good theories about why people believe in conspiracies, it is less clear what the ultimate effects of these beliefs are. What researchers have found is that while these beliefs are motivated by a desire to understand, exert control, and feel socially connected, these aren’t the effects people are deriving from their beliefs. Rather than fulfilling these needs, believing in conspiracies seems to reinforce feelings of confusion, isolation, disenfranchisement, and loneliness. It is a destructive cycle - negative feelings contribute to the belief in conspiracies, yet the belief in conspiracies results in negative feelings. Believing in conspiracy theories erodes people’s trust in their government, their leaders, and their institutions. It also diminishes trust in science and research itself. This distrust may discourage people from participating in their social worlds. It might also cause people to stop seeing themselves as valuable contributors to society. Rather than helping people cope with their feelings of social alienation and political disenfranchisement, conspiracy beliefs seem to create a cycle of distrust that leads to even greater disempowerment. Risks Believing in things that are not true poses a number of dangers, which can have real effects that impact individual behavior and ultimately have a ripple impact on society as a whole. A resurgence in Measles outbreaks in the U.S. has been largely attributed to a refusal by some individuals to vaccinate â€" a refusal that stems largely from the conspiratorial belief that vaccines cause autism and other health ailments. Failing to address dangerous misbeliefs presents a potential danger to public health and even the political process itself. Faulty beliefs lead can lead people to not vaccinate, not vote, or, in some rare cases, even engage in dangerous or violent behavior. 4 Sneaky Mental Biases That Can Affect Your Health Choices Overcoming Conspiracy Theory Beliefs In the age of disinformation, finding ways to refute conspiracy beliefs seems more important than ever. Social platforms claim to be buckling down on those who peddle and profit off of conspiracies, but is it really possible to change such views once they’ve taken root? One problem faced when trying to disprove conspiracy theories is that people who hold these beliefs also tend to suspect that there are factions engaged in covering up these activities. Those trying to debunk the mistaken beliefs are then viewed as simply being actors in the conspiracy itself. While it might be tempting to simply mock conspiracy theories, especially the more ridiculous ones, this usually causes believers to dig in their heels and deepen their commitment to their belief. Many factors that contribute to conspiratorial beliefs, such as educational background and personality, are not easily or quickly changed. Researchers have found one tactic, however, that is effective â€" encouraging believers to pursue their goals. People tend to take one of two approaches in the pursuit of goals. Those who are promotion-focused believe that they have the power and control to shape their future.People who are prevention-focused, on the other hand, are more focused on protecting what they already have rather than on achieving their goals. Feeling In Control Reduces Conspiratorial Thinking So what does this have to do with conspiracy beliefs? Researchers found that promotion-focused people were more skeptical and less likely to buy into conspiracies. Why? People who believe that the future hinges on their own actions have a great deal of personal agency and control. It is this sense of autonomy and agency that makes people less likely to believe in secret plots and nefarious plans. What the researchers also discovered was that giving people a nudge in the direction of a more promotion-focused mindset could actually reduce belief in conspiracies. In practical terms, promoting messages that help people feel more in control can minimize conspiratorial thinking. Write It Down Researchers had study participants write down their aspirations, which helped them focus on their goals and what they could do to achieve them. This simple activity encourages people to take a more promotion-focused mindset and reduces conspiracy belief. While researchers have been able to reduce conspiratorial thinking in the lab, how applicable is this in the real world? In workplace settings, managers might employ this strategy to help minimize water-cooler worries, office gossip, and interpersonal friction. Regular discussions that center on employee goals and strategies to achieve those goals can help keep workers feeling more in control and less subject to corporate whims. In terms of public health, organizations might start by promoting messages focused on realistic things people can do to take control of their own health. Building this sort of action-oriented mindset may help discourage belief in health-related conspiracies and build greater trust between medical organizations and health consumers. A Word From Verywell Conspiratorial thinking can be problematic and dangerous (Pizzagate, anyone?), but this does not mean that skepticism of institutions, marketing, and media messaging is not warranted. After all, not all conspiracies are false (the Tuskegee experiments and Iran-Contra are just a couple of examples). As you encounter information from various sources, it is important to be able to distinguish between false conspiracy theories and real threats to personal security. While it may be tempting to ridicule conspiracy believers, remember that these sort of beliefs are actually pretty common â€" you probably even believe in some of them. In a world where people feel the very real effects of power imbalances and distrust in leadership, conspiracy theories will naturally flourish, which means discouraging this type of thinking is not always easy. Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetent People Think They Are Superior