Rumor is an unsubstantiated, often false information that spreads from person to person through the community. Whether they are true or not, rumors can affect the behavior of people for good or bad, such as by encouraging riots or spreading panic. They can also create a sense of social isolation, as people distance themselves from those they do not like to talk about.
The word rumor means “gossip” in English and is sometimes misspelled as rumour. It is a type of communication that goes from one person to another, usually without evidence and can be about any topic. Often, a rumor is untrue, but it can also be about something that happened or something that someone hopes will happen. It is sometimes a form of bullying, and it can hurt someone badly.
There are a number of ways a rumor can start, but the most common is that someone hears it and wants to pass it on. This desire is usually based on the hope that the rumor will be true or that it will be interesting to others. For example, someone might spread a rumor about their favorite movie because they want to see the sequel. If they can get a large number of other people to believe the rumor, it is likely to catch on.
Alternatively, a rumor may start because of a lack of official communication. For example, if management announces something to lower-level employees but does not clarify the content or provide all of the facts, it opens the door for wild speculation. This is especially the case if the announcement is perceived as negative by the employees.
Other reasons for rumors include the desire to satisfy curiosity, the need to gossip, or a sense of injustice. The former is often the cause of rumors about celebrities, as people spread them in order to bring down the image of their target. It is also the reason for rumors that are meant to arouse anger in others, such as those about wars and terrorist attacks.
It is important to understand the causes of a rumor so that it can be prevented or minimized. If possible, try to confirm a rumor before passing it on, and only spread it to those who are interested in it. This will help prevent people from feeling compelled to share the rumor in response to a perceived need. In addition, managers should make an effort to improve fairness in the workplace by letting employees have a say in decision making and reducing the need for ambiguous communications. This will reduce a sense of unfairness that can cause rumors to spread.