The majority of Americans are skeptical about the influence of aliens on early civilizations, and a vast majority strongly disagree that Armstrong and Aldrin’s moon-landing was some kind of faked up “Truman Show.” A large minority does, however, seem to buy into psychic powers, alternative medicines and some of the country’s most popular conspiracy theories.
Over half of Americans believe in alternative medicines, with 66% convinced that chiropractic treatments are helpful for many types of ailment, 65% believe that acupuncture can relieve stress and 52% feel that homeopathy can cure many types of ailments.
Women are consistently more likely to believe in alternative therapies than men, 59% of women accept homeopathy as a potential cure compared to only 46% of men. Americans over 55 are considerably more likely to believe in alternative cures than Millennials, with 58% of older Americans accepting homeopathy compared to only 41% of Millennials.
Women are also much more likely to believe in ghosts (49% of women compared to 39% of men) and psychic abilities (55% of women compared to only 41% of men).
If alternative cures and supernatural phenomenon are largely the domain of women it is American men who are more likely to be conspiracy theorists. 21% of men think the FBI killed JFK compared to 17% of women and 27% of men think the US Government played a critical role in the 9/11 attacks compared to 21% of women.
Overall 38% of Americans believe that secret groups and societies like the Illuminati or Skull and Bones have a large influence on major world events.
Americans Who Agree with the Following Statements
For further information about Omnibus results, and for details about methodology and Omnibus services, please email omnibus.us@yougov.com.
Find the full results here.
Image courtesy of Press Association