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hubie [soylentnews.org] writes:

New UBC research shows apocalyptic thinking is widespread and shapes how people respond to global threats [news.ubc.ca]:

In an era of climate anxiety, geopolitical tensions and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, apocalyptic thinking is no longer confined to the fringes of society, according to new research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology [apa.org].

"Belief in the end of the world is surprisingly common across North America, and it's significantly influencing how people interpret and respond to the most pressing threats facing humanity," said Dr. Matthew I. Billet, the study's lead author who conducted the research as a PhD candidate in UBC's psychology department. He is now a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Irvine.

[...] "Different narratives people believe about the end of the world can lead to very different responses to societal issues," said Dr. Billet. "Someone who believes humans are causing the apocalypse through climate change will respond very differently to environmental policy than someone who believes the end times are controlled by divine prophecy."

The research revealed differences across religious denominations.

"Everyone agrees on one thing: We humans play an important role in the fate of our species," said Dr. Billet. "This was as true for the religious as it was for the non-religious. However, there were also differences between religious denominations that were quite stark. These differences point to how religion—and culture more broadly—can shape how we fundamentally view the world and our collective future."

The study's most significant finding may be how such beliefs translate into action, or inaction.

[...] Those who believed the end is near and that humans are causing it perceived greater risk and supported more extreme action to address threats. However, those who believed divine forces control the apocalypse were less likely to support preventive measures.

[...] "These differences can create disagreements across cultural groups that make it difficult to coordinate responses to global risks, both within countries and between countries. Today, beliefs about accepting the Mark of the Beast from the Last Days undermine efforts at mass vaccination against COVID-19. The dread of climate apocalypse undermines young people's motivation to tackle climate change and to bring children into this world."

Rather than dismissing apocalyptic thinking as irrational, Dr. Billet argues that understanding these beliefs is essential for effective communication and policy-making in an increasingly divided society.

"Whether or not any particular apocalyptic narrative is accurate, they are still consequential for how populations confront concrete risks," he said. "If we want to build consensus around addressing climate change, AI safety or pandemic preparedness, we need to understand how different communities are interpreting these threats through their own cultural lenses. In a world facing genuine catastrophic risks, that understanding has never been more important."

Journal Reference: Billet, M. I., White, C. J. M., Shariff, A., & Norenzayan, A. (2026). End of world beliefs are common, diverse, and predict how people perceive and respond to global risks. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000519 [doi.org]

Original Submission