Doctor Mihail

8 Oct 2026 · 48 min

0:00

In this podcast episode Mihail Pautov reflects on an overheard conversation between two women discussing "energies" that control the world, using it as a springboard to explore the psychological phenomenon of the illusion of control. He introduces the concept of compensatory control, explaining how people who feel a loss of personal control experience anxiety and seek external sources of order—namely belief in a controlling deity, trust in institutions, or the construction of patterns that lead to magical thinking and conspiracy theories. Pautov reviews scientific literature on compensatory control (Kai’s work), positive illusory beliefs (self‑enhancement, unrealistic optimism) and their mixed effects on mental and physical health, as well as the darker side of maladaptive illusory beliefs such as conspiracy thinking, which can increase anxiety and lead to harmful behaviours (e.g., vaccine refusal). He discusses the role of aversion to uncertainty, presenting evidence that high uncertainty intolerance predicts stronger conspiracy endorsement, and offers a practical guide for cultivating tolerance to uncertainty through cognitive reframing, exposure, and value‑driven action. Ethical questions about whether and how to challenge people’s beliefs are examined, concluding that benign coping beliefs may be left untouched while harmful conspiratorial narratives should be addressed carefully. The episode ends with meta‑information about related podcasts, research references, and promotional content for the host’s coffee brand and AI‑powered Q&A service.

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