The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Search for Scapegoats: Examining the Link Between COVID-19 Conspiracy Beliefs and Ethnic Prejudice

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled numerous conspiracy theories that have reinvigorated prejudices and stereotypes toward marginalized groups. While much current research focuses on the correlates of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, the consequences of conspiracy narratives for outgroup attitudes are rarely examined. Across two studies, we investigate the relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and attitudes toward ethnic minorities. Using the scapegoating hypothesis as a theoretical background, secondary analyses of cross-sectional (Study 1, N = 896) and longitudinal (Study 2, N = 2048) survey data from Germany revealed that COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs were related to antipathy towards immigrants, Muslims, Jews, and refugees. We discuss the implications of these findings, considering the consequences of conspiracy beliefs for intergroup relations and democratic societies.