by Nsikan Akpan
People — even smart and savvy ones — mix up conspiracy theories, falsehoods and myths. Here is the key difference: A conspiracy — and by extension a conspiracy theory — must involve a group of people conducting secret deeds that disadvantage or infringe on the rights of others.
For instance, linking vaccines to autism is a false belief. If you think vaccines cause autism because health officials deem it so, then you believe in a conspiracy theory. Another falsehood is that fluoride is harmful to your body. A conspiracy theory is that fluoride is harmful to your body and a form of mind control perpetuated by government officials.
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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
In this passage how does the second paragraph refine the definition presented in the first paragraph?
(1 point)
Responses
by noting that health concerns are central to many conspiracy theories and false beliefs
by noting that health concerns are central to many conspiracy theories and false beliefs
by contrasting examples of conspiracy theories and falsehoods
by contrasting examples of conspiracy theories and falsehoods
by showing that conspiracy theories and falsehoods are very similar
by showing that conspiracy theories and falsehoods are very similar
by deciding not to include an example of a myth
1 answer
The correct response is: by contrasting examples of conspiracy theories and falsehoods.
The second paragraph provides examples that differentiate between a false belief (vaccines cause autism) and a conspiracy theory (fluoride being harmful as part of a mind control effort by the government), thereby refining the definition presented in the first paragraph.
