SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic from a Criminological Perspective - Investigating Antisocial Behaviour Changes in Germany

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only a health crisis, but also shatters the socialand economic lives through regulations and social restrictions. As seen duringSARS 2002-2003, measures like social restrictions can impact behaviournegatively, leading to discrimination, stigmatisation and xenophobia. There is alack of studies on antisocial behaviour and crime during health crises, such aspandemics. Related studies on disaster and crime gave mixed results, with somesuggesting an increase in prosocial rather than antisocial behaviour. Using acriminological perspective, German news media from January 1, 2020 untilMarch 31, 2020 were analysed. These media sources were the tabloid Bild andtwo main elite newspapers, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung. Analyses were conducted quantitatively based on frequencies, means andword counts. Additionally, a qualitative media content analysis regarding events,behaviour and story tone was undertaken. The aim was to reveal indications ofreported behavioural changes. For a complete overview, both antisocial andprosocial behaviours were included. Results indicate that antisocial behaviour,such as ignoring of governmental advice and rules, and discriminatory behaviours,as well as crimes like fraud became more prominent over time than prosocial andhelping behaviour. This study shows only a fragment of the situation in Germany,but highlights the importance of continuous assessments of human behaviourduring dynamic and critical times.