What is Rumor?
Rumor is an unsubstantiated piece of information that is spread and believed in a social group. It may also be referred to as gossip, but it is more than just that. It is a way of transmitting information that is considered to be important or interesting to other people in the group. People often share this information over the internet, but it can be spread through a variety of methods. People are more likely to believe a rumor that comes from a close friend than it is when they find out about it on the news or through other people.
The main factors that can cause rumors are uncertainty and ambiguity. When management announces something to lower-level employees, they might not provide all the details or present a clear picture. This gives employees a chance to interpret the announcement according to their own experiences and perceptions. It may result in a rumor that is completely different from the original announcement.
Another major factor is the lack of official lines of communication. Many rumors are transmitted through informal channels like the grapevines, which are characterized by their ability to distort messages in the course of transmission. This can be a positive aspect in some cases, but it is not always helpful. For example, when a rumor is passed around through social media, it is often distorted by friends who want to make it seem more interesting and credible.
Despite the distortion, a rumor can still have a great impact on the recipients. People tend to react to the information and may even take action that could have serious consequences if the rumor turns out to be true. This is what happened when a photo that claimed to show an Islamic State fighter seeking refuge in Europe went viral on Facebook. It led European officials to propose stopping refugees from Syria from entering the country.
There are several ways to reduce the production and spreading of rumors in an organization. For instance, managers can encourage their employees to use formal lines of communication. They can also ask them to be more careful about sharing unverified information on the internet.
It is also important to know that it is hard to stop a rumor from spreading once it starts. This is because the rumormongers will continue to spread it even if you try to tell them not to. The best thing you can do is to tell only a few people and warn them not to tell anyone else.
In addition, you can monitor how fast a rumor is spread and how far it has reached. For instance, you can check if it has reached nano or micro-influencers within the community (people with large followers on social media accounts and websites) or if it is spreading through tightly connected communities. This will help you decide whether it is worth putting in the extra effort to correct it.