Conspiracy theories and their societal effects during the COVID-19 pandemic
Open accessAbstract
During COVID-19, conspiracy theories were intensely discussed in the media. Believing in specific conspiracy theories (i.e., explanations for events based on powerholders’ secret arrangements) as well as the general tendency to believe in conspiracy theories—a so-called conspiracy mentality—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 work against institutional trust, support of governmental regulations and their adoption, as well as societal engagement (e.g., helping members of risk groups). We tested these predictions in a national random sample, an experimental study, and a longitudinal study (Ntotal = 1,213; all studies 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 that conspiracy theories have severe societal effects in the context of COVID-19.
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Exposure to conspiracy theories undermines trust in democratic institutions.
“Exposure to such theories has been shown to undermine trust in democratic institutions (van Prooijen et al., 2022)”
From The Seed of Doubt: Examining the Role of Alternative Social and News Media for the Birth of a Conspiracy Theory (2024) · cites this paper as Pummerer et al., 2020
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- Authors
- Pummerer, L., Böhm, R., Lilleholt, L., Winter, K., Zettler, I., & Sassenberg, K.
- Affiliations
- Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (DE)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Pummerer, Lotte
- Publisher
- Center for Open Science
- Published
- 2020-04-14
- OpenAlex
- W4237829691
- Cited by
- 67
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 4
- Type
- posted content
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Social Sciences › Communication › Communication and COVID-19 Impact
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Keywords
- conspiracy theories, COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy mentality, institutional trust, social distancing, social engagement, social consequences, public health compliance
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