A rumor is a piece of information that has not been verified and is passed from person to person. This type of information can cause fear and apprehension in the public and is usually of an uncertain nature. Some people like to spread rumors and can be called rumormongers. Often times, this type of information is false and a good way to stop rumors is to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media.
In a scientific experiment, subjects were told a rumor and had to relay it to their neighbors. It was found that the more details that were added to the story, the less accurate it became. This is because the additional details led to confusion and a loss of detail. Also, people were found to forget some of the information and add more that was not originally there. This is because they were trying to add more credibility and accuracy to the rumor. In addition, it was found that people are more likely to believe a rumor when it is dramatic and has a familiar symbol.
When a rumor is about something that could affect a large amount of people, the effects can be devastating. For example, a rumor that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had a heart attack was reported widely and resulted in a drop in the stocks of the company. This caused a lot of anxiety and fear in the market. It was later confirmed that the rumor was false.
Some individuals feel that a rumor is not necessarily a bad thing because the truth on an issue will eventually come to light. This is because a rumor can be disputed and refuted once new information becomes available.
The term rumor has many meanings in different languages and can be used as a noun or a verb. When a rumor is spread, it is known as the rumor cycle and it has been studied extensively. It was first referred to by German social scientist William Stern who conducted an experiment that involved a chain of subjects who passed a story from one person to another without being allowed to repeat or explain the story. The final version of the rumor was much shorter and contained fewer details than the original story.
The rumor cycle is also explained through the theory of social learning. This theory is based on the notion that people learn from each other through interactions with other people. This interaction helps to shape a person’s beliefs and actions. It is also believed that a person’s personality has an effect on his ability to spread a rumor and determine its veracity. For instance, a person with a more radical personality is more prone to believing rumors and spreading them. On the other hand, a person with a steady and calm personality is more likely to contemplate and seek out confirmation before spreading a rumor. This is because he is more likely to focus on news that are relevant to his daily life.