Rumor is a piece of information that circulates in a group or society and is not independently verified as true or false. The word rumor derives from the Latin rumorem. Rumors are also known as rumours, misinformation, or slander. There are many different types of rumors, and they can vary in their veracity. Rumors can also be true, false, or semi-true.
Twitter is a particularly effective medium for spreading rumors, and it can even be used as a communication tool. The spread of rumors on Twitter can be easily distinguished from the spread of valid tweets and rumors. Twitter rumors are distinguished from valid tweets because they spread in geographic areas near the physical source of the rumor. The following are characteristics of a rumor tweet. This type of tweet has some features in common with a tweet that is part of a rumor: it contains a URL or a link to another website. It is also easier to identify a rumor tweet because it uses a hashtag.
A study published in 1947, “The Psychology of Rumor,” by Harold Lasswell, noted that rumors tend to be more concise and accurate the longer they travel. This results in a more accurate description of the events that are rumored, and it also becomes easier to spread the word. The study used a “message diffusion test” to identify the factors that contribute to a rumor’s accuracy. Interestingly, rumors become more accurate when the second, third, and fourth mouth-to-mouth transmission occurs.
According to Prashant, rumor development follows a four-stage pattern. A rumor is first introduced, followed by information volunteered for discussion, and then discussed. When the fourth stage begins, the rumor has become more concrete. It has become a part of society. In this way, rumors can serve as a social communication tool to make people aware of the latest developments in a community.
The last component of rumor management is credibility. Most rumors are spread by unreliable sources. It is important to determine the source of a rumor before it reaches the target audience. The rumor should be true, otherwise, it is just a piece of nonsense. Its origin is a human emotion and it can turn into a damaging story. When this happens, you must take steps to control it and prevent it from spreading.
Rumors may also be motivated by the desire to control others and get ahead in social rankings. Some teens may feel threatened or low about themselves and may seek attention by spreading rumors about other people to make themselves feel better. Peer pressure may also be a reason teens spread rumors. There are two types of rumors. The first type of rumor is based on false information, whereas the second type is based on opinion.