“Resistance!”: Collective Action Cues in Conspiracy Theory-Endorsing Facebook Groups

Conspiracy theories on social media have been suspected of contributing to mobilization and radicalization. Yet, few studies examined the prevalence psychological variables that may serve motivate normative non-normative collective action in this material. Drawing from “social identity model action,” current study uses a mixed-methods approach examine cues conspiracy theory-endorsing spaces. Towards end, I four German Facebook groups (Covid-19-Skeptic, Far-Right, Chemtrail, Political Affairs) during first months Covid-19 pandemic<em>. </em>The results qualitative content analysis (<em>N</em> = 828 posts), hierarchical cluster analysis, examination popularity showed that: (a) were frequent; (b) most posts transmitted alternative views (Cluster 1) or<em> </em>absolutist ideologies 2) with cues—yet, more than one-third either mobilizing 3) or wrathful 4), entailing multiple including theoretically linked action; (c) engaging absolutist ideologies; (d) types levels engagement varied between such Chemtrail Far-Right group disseminated higher potential. The was also active responding its members. are novel they demonstrate research within groups.