Rumor is a type of information that is transmitted from one person to another without proof or validation. It is often false and can have serious consequences for an organization or individual. Rumor can also be difficult to control, but some strategies can be used.<\/p>\n
The main reason rumors thrive is that people need to make sense of ambiguous or evolving information. This is especially true during crises or stressful events, when official sources of information may be slow to provide new details. Researchers have studied the phenomenon of rumor since black-and-white television and party-line telephone calls, and their findings remain relevant today. They have identified three distinct stages in the process of a rumor spreading: leveling, sharpening and assimilation. Leveling refers to the general distortion of a message as it is passed from one person to the next; sharpening is the selection of particular details to transmit; and assimilation is the resulting change in the meaning of a rumor that occurs as it is repeated.<\/p>\n
Many rumors are based on fears or anxieties, such as the fear of being attacked or being robbed. Other rumors are based on social, cultural or political beliefs and practices, such as the belief that vaccines are harmful or the conviction that certain politicians are trustworthy or untrustworthy. In addition, a variety of other rumors can be created to manipulate the media or to advance a political agenda.<\/p>\n
To reduce the spread of a rumor, it is important to identify the source and disprove it. It is also important to keep the number of people who know about the rumor limited, as this will reduce its likelihood of being spread. If possible, leave evidence around. For example, if you tell someone that you saw them eat dog food, they are more likely to believe it if you have pieces of the pet food lying around.<\/p>\n