Rumor is an unsubstantiated story that spreads through a community by word of mouth in a way similar to the spread of communicable diseases. People can use rumors for good or for bad, but they are often based on false information and can be harmful to those who believe them. Some researchers have defined four components of rumor: anxiety (personal and situational), ambiguity, relevance, and credibility. By understanding how rumors are created, individuals can try to influence their friends’ beliefs and behaviors.
Anxiety plays a large role in how fast a rumor can spread. Anxious individuals, or people in anxious situations, tend to spread rumors to alleviate their worries. Some of the most popular rumors of all time, such as the bombings in London during World War II or the rumors that John Kerry is French or that Barack Obama is Muslim, prey on people’s anxieties.
Ambiguity is another factor that influences how quickly a rumor can spread. If a rumor is unclear, it becomes much easier to spread because people will fill in the gaps with their own assumptions. This is why it’s important to make a rumor as clear and accurate as possible.
The more relevant a rumor is to someone, the more likely they are to pass it along. For example, if a person has had a bad experience at a hair salon, they may tell two friends who then tell two more, and so on. This type of rumor is what businesses call “word of mouth.”
When someone shares a rumor through social media, it has the potential to reach a wide audience and potentially affect everyone in that network. This is why it’s important to only share true stories and be careful about what you share online.
The last factor that influences how quickly a rumor spreads is its credibility. A rumor that can be easily disproven or is simply not true will not become very popular. This is why it’s important to not only make a believable rumor but also leave evidence behind, such as copies of the original story or pictures of the subject.
In this age of widespread and quick access to information, rumor has become a valuable tool for people trying to find the truth. However, it can also be harmful when used by businesses and governments who are incentivized to hide information, like the recent COVID-19 rumors or alleged lab leaks. By understanding how rumors are created, people can try to shape them in a more positive direction.