Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Internet-Based Communication Processes of Preppers

“Prepping” is the deliberate preparation for the occurrence of an unforeseeable man-made or natural disaster. These precautionary measures also include self-defence in the event of a disaster and survival in a potentially hostile environment. The focus of the analyses was on the extent to which communicative radicalisation can be observed in parts of the scene, particularly in connection with conspiracy ideologies and political extremist content, and the extent to which prepper groups on the internet counteract such dangers communicatively.

The increase in global networking via the Internet has led to a variety of changes in human habits and especially in communication processes. Against this background, the InKoPrep project performed a qualitative and quantitative analysis in relevant digital social spaces in order to investigate the possible reciprocal and repercussive effects of computer-mediated communication on the communicators themselves. As with RadigZ, based on the social identity approach and the so-called SIDE model, the assumption is that the medium has its own effect that favours the development of and adjustment to group norms, which impacts the course of communication.

The project started in September 2020 and ended in September 2022. The project was funded by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Ministry of the Interior and Europe.