Rumor is a false story that can be spread quickly through social media, and can have an impact on people’s actions. Rumors can be about any topic, but they are more likely to be spread when they are relevant and interesting to people. Rumors can be serious or funny, and they often cause panic in society. For example, a rumor about the nuclear leakage from the Fukushima accident caused a rush to buy salt in Japan.
There are several factors that contribute to the success of a rumor, including how important it is to individuals and the level of ambiguity of the information. The rumors that are most effective are the ones that play on people’s anxieties such as their safety, appearance or money. It is also necessary for the rumor to be plausible in order to spread. For example, a rumor that someone hit a homeless person with their car will most likely spread because it is believable and would trigger the individual’s anxiety.
The next factor is the context in which the rumor is being spread. Researchers have found that a rumor is more likely to be successful when it is spread in the context of an event that will attract attention, such as a major news story or an election. In addition, the rumor must be about something that is personally meaningful to individuals, and may arouse their emotions.
A third factor that influences the success of a rumor is its familiarity. Research has shown that a rumor is more likely spread when it contains elements that are familiar to individuals, such as those that have been used in previously successful rumors. This may be because these familiar elements lend a sense of plausibility to the rumor. For example, a rumor suggesting that the election results are rigged is more likely to spread because it uses elements of previous rumors about elections, such as discarded ballots or voting machine malfunctions.
It is also helpful to create a rumor that is difficult to disprove. For example, a rumor concerning someone eating dog food is more likely to be believed if the storyteller plants pieces of dog food around the target’s office or lunch area. This way, if the rumor is proven false, it will not spread.
Finally, a rumor is more likely to succeed when it is spread by people who are known to be trustworthy or influential in the community. This is why it is important for individuals to avoid sharing unverified claims on their social media accounts. If a friend shares the rumor on their account, it is likely to be believed. This could lead to a dangerous situation for the individual, their friends and their family members.