Conspiracy Theories and Their Societal Effects During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lotte Pummerer (Corresponding author), Robert Böhm, Lau Lilleholt, Kevin Winter, Ingo Zettler, Kai Sassenberg

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

During COVID-19, conspiracy theories were intensely discussed in the media. Generally, both believing in conspiracy theories (i.e., explanations for events based on powerholders’ secret arrangements) and being confronted with a conspiracy theory have been found to predict cognition and behavior with negative societal effects, such as low institutional trust. Accordingly, believing in conspiracy theories around COVID-19 should reduce institutional trust, support of governmental regulations and their adoption, and social engagement (e.g., helping members of risk groups). We tested these predictions in a national random sample survey, an experiment, and a longitudinal study (N total = 1,213; all studies were preregistered). Indeed, believing in and being confronted with a COVID-19 conspiracy theory decreased institutional trust, support of governmental regulations, adoption of physical distancing, and—to some extent—social engagement. Findings underscore the severe societal effects of conspiracy theories in the context of COVID-19.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-59
Number of pages11
JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science
Volume13
Issue number1
Early online date19 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 501021 Social psychology

Keywords

  • BELIEF
  • COVID-19
  • EXPOSURE
  • conspiracy mentality
  • conspiracy theory
  • social influence
  • trust

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Conspiracy Theories and Their Societal Effects During the COVID-19 Pandemic'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this