A rumor is an unsubstantiated story that spreads like a disease through a group of people who communicate with one another. Rumors may be true, false or semi-true and can be spread by word of mouth or through the media. The word rumor is derived from the Latin term “rumores” meaning noises or whispers. Whether a rumor is true or not, it can influence the behavior of people in the community for good or bad.
A successful rumor is based on several factors, some of which are psychological and some social. For example, rumors tend to be spread more quickly if they are interesting and exciting. They also are more likely to be believed if they are from a trusted source.
The rumor-spreading process can be controlled to some extent by determining the audience you want to reach with your rumor. For example, if you are trying to make a celebrity look bad, it might be better to tell the rumor to people that he or she is having problems with their personal life. This will generate more attention and may cause a negative reaction in the person being targeted.
In general, rumors are more likely to spread than facts because they appeal to people’s emotions and are not necessarily checked for accuracy. Many rumors prey on anxieties that people have about their safety, how they are perceived by others and money. This is why they are so popular and often get the most airtime.
There are a number of dimensions that affect the strength of a rumor, and researchers have classified them in several ways. Some, such as uncertainty and significance, are rooted in the basic law of rumoring, as described by scholars Gordon Allport and Leo Postman. Other dimensions, such as the ambiguity of information and system effects, are related to the underlying environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these dimensions were present. For example, the ambiguity of the disease, its seriousness and a lack of trust in government officials all contributed to its rapid propagation.
It is important to understand how rumors are spread and why they spread the way that they do. This knowledge can help individuals, communities and organizations to create more effective interventions.
People who spread a rumor are able to do so because they are motivated by a desire to gain a sense of power and status. They also feel a need to be included in the conversation and to satisfy their curiosity. Whether they are gossiping about celebrities or spreading a rumor about their neighbor’s divorce, people feel a strong desire to be included in the buzz. In addition, a rumor is more likely to be believed if it appeals to the listener’s sense of humor or if it is a juicy story that makes them feel special about being part of the conversation.