Americans are overwhelmingly afraid of conspiracies and terrorist acts, according to the statement from the University of Chapmann University. On the other hand, they seem little concerned by the inequality of health care.
Researchers at Chapmann University in the United States surveyed more than 1,500 adult participants to analyze their levels of 65 fears, divided into several broad categories: personal fears, conspiracy theories, terrorism, disasters natural phobias (fear of heights, spiders), paranormal fears (ghost) and the fear of Muslims, called “Islamophobia”.
The 10 most common fears of Americans
1) The corruption of politicians
2) Terrorist attacks
3) Poverty or lack of money
4) Terrorism
5) The prohibition (or restrictions on) firearms
6) The death of loved ones
7) An economic or financial crash
8) Identity theft
9) Illness of loved ones
10) Insufficient access to health care
“The 2016 survey data shows us that the most common fears have changed from last year, which were heavily based on economic and financial issues,” said University sociology professor Christopher Bader. Chapman, author of the study. “People are often afraid of what they can’t control,” Dr. Bader continued.
Thus, the survey reveals that 41% of Americans are afraid of a new terrorist attack and the majority (more than 60%) believe that the United States is likely to support an event close to September 11th.
The United States, a country of conspirators
This poll also reveals that Americans strongly believe that the United States is a country fueled by conspiracies.
Indeed, more than half of respondents said that the September 11 attacks and the assassination of John F. Kennedy are conspiracies. 40% believe the government is hiding information about aliens and global warming. And a third (30%) believe there are conspiracies about Obama’s birth certificate and the origin of the AIDS virus.
“We found clear evidence that the United States is a highly conspiratorial society,” Dr. Bader said. “We see a degree of paranoia in respondents’ responses.”
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