Deprived, Radical, Alternatively Informed

The Covid-19 pandemic was accompanied by a massive increase of the supply and demand for pandemic-related information. Similarly, conspiracy theories about origins functions virus flourished during early stages pandemic. present study draws on nationally representative sample German population aged 18+ (N = 1,207) to investigate factors that are associated with people’s susceptibility believe in such theories. We draw research from sociology, political science, communication predict related relative deprivation, radicalism, consumption alternative news websites, video platforms, Social Network Sites, messenger services an increased belief data largely supports our assumptions. Additionally, we show strength is reduced vaccination intentions, which suggests detrimental real-world health consequences belief.