Once popular on the fringes, apocalyptic thinking has become mainstream, promoting the belief that the world will soon end.
A new study from the University of British Columbia and published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has explored how apocalyptic thinking is emerging worldwide and shaping people’s responses to modern global threats.
Based on a survey of more than 3,400 people in the US and Canada, the study found that one in three American participants believe the world will end within their lifetime.
According to researchers, these “end-of-the-world” beliefs are not just idle thoughts; in fact, these thoughts shape individuals’ responses to issues such as climate change, pandemics, warfare, and AI.
Dr. Matthew Billet and his UBC colleagues have also identified five metrics that determine how people view the ending.
- Perceived proximity: how quickly it will happen
- Anthropogenic causality: whether humans are the cause.
- Theogenic causality: whether supernatural forces are responsible.
- Personal control: Whether an individual can influence the outcome.
- Emotional value: whether the ending is seen as good or bad.
“Different stories people believe about the end of the world can lead to very different responses to social problems,” says Dr. Billet.
This kind of doom-mongering is also responsible for shaping the actions. Those who believe that humans are causing the end are more likely to support drastic measures to solve global problems.
Those who believe the end is orchestrated by God are less likely to support avoidable actions because they view human intervention as futile.
“Whether or not a particular apocalyptic story is true, they still have a major influence on the way populations face concrete risks,” he said.
Dr. Billet argues that policymakers need to understand these cultural lenses, rather than dismissing these beliefs as irrational, to effectively communicate and build consensus on AI safety, pandemic preparedness, and climate change.
