The Psychology of Rumor by David Dunning, published in 1947, states that a rumor gets shorter and more accurate as it spreads. In a test, a message spreads more quickly if a human can understand its details after five to six mouth-to-mouth transmissions. This phenomenon is known as the “rumor cycle”.
While the source of a rumor may be partisan or anonymous, the spread of a rumor can cause public uncertainty for the opposing party. In the case of a rumor bomb, the source may be clearly partisan and benefit from its diffusion. A rumor bomb can spread quickly in a highly electronic mediated society. A rumor bomb spreads like a wildfire, which means it can spawn in the middle of a political campaign or other event.
Several factors can influence the spread of a rumor. People tend to spread credible stories instead of ridiculous ones. Moreover, people with an anxious mood will not monitor rumors. That is one reason why people spread rumors based on their fears. So, it is important to monitor rumor sources. If you do not know the source of a rumor, it’s important to avoid making any decisions based on its contents.
Despite the ambiguous nature of a rumor, its repercussions can be disastrous. The spread of a rumor bomb can lead to the discrediting of a person or company. Harsin argues that rumor bombs are not always about discrediting a person, but rather about framing and producing events that are harmful to that person. This article also provides a list of research-based ways to identify the source of a rumor bomb.
A rumor is a statement of uncertain accuracy that is spread by word of mouth. Rumors contain misinformation or information, and can spread by email. Whether it is a fact or a fiction, a rumor is a popular way to gossip about someone. A rumor can be a verb or a noun. For example, “John is rumored to be the next in line for promotion at work” means that it is a rumor that was spread by a person.