Rumor is a type of message that spreads from person to person. It can be about a celebrity, place of business or even a family member. Sometimes it is innocent gossip and other times it can be vicious rumors made out of jealousy, anger or disappointment in another person. Many rumors prey on anxieties that everyone has such as safety, how they look or money. These fears and anxieties make a rumor very appealing because of the high emotional response that people have to it.
If the rumor is believable enough it will begin to stick in peoples minds and will continue to grow. It can even become bigger than the truth but it is important that people don’t go overboard with their rumors and that they are not putting out false information. The more details that are added to the rumor the less likely it is that it will be believed. Also if there is any evidence to back up the rumor it will be taken more seriously.
A good rumor can make or break someones reputation. A good example of this is the rumors about celebrities that are spread so quickly. The rumors are usually not true but they can be so devastating that it makes the star lose their credibility and career. This is especially true if they have been circulating for some time and are not verified.
One way to stop a rumor is to get the person that started it to stop spreading it. This is not always easy to do but it can be done. You can try to convince them that what they have said is not true and you can even tell them that if they continue to spread it they will be punished. This might be enough to stop them from continuing to spread it.
You can also try to get a person that is not interested in the rumor to stop spreading it. This will also be difficult and it is important that you do not try to use any methods that may cause the other person to feel bad about you. If you do this you are likely to end up in a confrontation that could damage your relationship.
In order to really stop a rumor you have to investigate it and determine whether it is true or not. This can be done by using a group of trusted neutral intermediaries who will report to others what they know to be true and what is still being investigated. It is important that there are a number of these intermediaries and that they are widely trusted. In addition to this it is important that a plan is in place for handling cases where the investigation of the rumor has been inconclusive.
When you are trying to stop a rumor the best way is to tell it to someone that you trust and will not be hurt by it. If they don’t believe it or can disprove it then they will not pass it on to anyone else. You can also try to leave some kind of evidence around, for example if you are telling a rumor that someone saw your target eating dog food then leaving pieces of dog food around their desk or in their lunch might help the rumor to take off.