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Pylons ablaze: Examining the role of 5G COVID?19 conspiracy beliefs and support for violence

Jolley, Daniel; Paterson, Jenny L.

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Dr DANIEL JOLLEY Daniel.Jolley@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor in Social Psychology

Jenny L. Paterson



Abstract

Amid increased acts of violence against telecommunication engineers and property, this pre?registered study (N = 601 Britons) investigated the association between beliefs in 5G COVID?19 conspiracy theories and the justification and willingness to use violence. Findings revealed that belief in 5G COVID?19 conspiracy theories was positively correlated with state anger, which in turn, was associated with a greater justification of real?life and hypothetical violence in response to an alleged link between 5G mobile technology and COVID?19, alongside a greater intent to engage in similar behaviours in the future. Moreover, these associations were strongest for those highest in paranoia. Furthermore, we show that these patterns are not specific to 5G conspiratorial beliefs: General conspiracy mentality was positively associated with justification and willingness for general violence, an effect mediated by heightened state anger, especially for those most paranoid in the case of justification of violence. Such research provides novel evidence on why and when conspiracy beliefs may justify the use of violence.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 27, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 21, 2020
Publication Date 2020-07
Deposit Date Mar 10, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 11, 2022
Journal British Journal of Social Psychology
Print ISSN 0144-6665
Electronic ISSN 2044-8309
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 59
Issue 3
Pages 628-640
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12394
Keywords Social Psychology
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7505281
Publisher URL https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12394

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